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The RFS boss said changes made over the past 20 years would help to prevent the same level of damage in the future.

A lot can change in 20 years, but as Canberrans look back on the disaster that was the 2003 bushfires, the differences in the affected suburbs can be linked back to the unprecedented power of the event. On January 18, 2003, more than 480 homes were destroyed when a major…

It has been 20 years since a bushfire tore through the suburbs of the capital. The event changed the way fires are responded to in the ACT, but the question still lingers — could it happen again? Warning: this story contains content that may be distressing to some readers.

It has been 20 years to the day since bushfires burst out of the Brindabella Ranges and into the suburbs of our nation’s bush capital. Four lives were lost, many people were injured and more than 500 homes were destroyed.

While increased understanding of fire behaviour and developments in technology have changed bushfire management practices, there remains lessons to be learned.

The 20th anniversary of the Canberra firestorm, which destroyed over 500 homes and killed four people

The first head of the ACT State Emergency Service, Tony Graham, has died.

Duffy resident Paulene Cairnduff rebuilt in the same location after her home was destroyed by the firestorm.

Five of Canberra's fire trucks were disabled during the 2003 firestorm.