For eight days in the 1939 bushfire season, including Black Friday, January 13, Victoria was alight from the Murray River to the sea.

The temperature got up to 48 degrees, and the wind 150kmh. People in Tasmania turned their lights on at 2pm as smoke drifting across Bass Strait blocked out the sun. Smoke eventually reached New Zealand.

A family of three were amongst the 71 dead. They were driving, trying to escape, when their car was blocked by a fallen log. They got out and ran, the father carrying the girl. The mother needed help - her shoe was found still stuck in the melted tar - the father put the little girl down to go to her, and they were all overcome.

Many of the victims were killed around Warburton - eight died at nearby Rubicon, six at Narbethong, twelve at Alexandra, and nine at Warragul.

At Noojee, 200 residents huddled together in the La Trobe River while their town was burnt.

And at the seaside resort of Lorne, residents and tourists grabbed what they could and rushed into the sea as the raging holocaust threatened the town, destroying 20 homes.

Thousands of volunteers left Melbourne for the bush to help fight the flames.

At least 1500 people were left homeless, and 20 took weeks to recover from severe burns in hospital.

One family of six lucky to survive with burns had been standing at the window when the force of the flames blew them against the far wall. Their father took them to the car and they fled. But there were flames and thick smoke, and the car was wrecked. The fire was upon them. The parents gathered the children, laid them on the road and shielded them from the flames with their bodies. They were on the road for four hours before neighbours found them.

The towns burnt were, Halls Gap, Stawell, Ararat, Ballarat, Woodend, Colac, Lorne, Toolangi, Warburton, Loch Valley, Rubicon, Narethong, Alexandra, Benalla, Albury, Tawonga, Towong, Mansfield, Omeo, Buxton, Woods Point, Noojee, Bruthen, Bairnsdale, Sale, Warragul. 

Never think it can't happen to you. Decide early if you are going to stay and fight the fire or make a run for it. If unexperienced run and run as soon as you can - while the fire is still miles away. Learn from what has happened before. Keep safe, be well.

Thank you to Denis Williams of the Aussie Post for his article, from which these facts are drawn.