The
2003 Canberra bushfires involved several deaths, over 490 injured, and caused severe damage to the outskirts of
Canberra, the capital city of Australia, during 18–22 January 2003. Almost 70% of the
Australian Capital Territory's (ACT) pastures, forests (pine plantations), and nature parks were severely damaged, and most of the renowned
Mount Stromlo Observatory was destroyed. After burning for a week around the edges of the ACT, the
fires entered the suburbs of
Canberra on 18 January 2003. Over the next ten hours, four people died and more than 500 homes were destroyed or severely damaged, requiring a significant relief and reconstruction effort.