Some History
Here’s a timeline of significant fire related events in Sassafras and Ferny Creek. A brief history of the brigade, Hills of Fire, was published in 1992. Copies are available in local public libraries. An updated version, available on this website, is planned in the near future.
| 1851 | Black Thursday bushfires affect much of Victoria, including the Dandenongs |
| 1869 | Dandenong and Woori Yallock State Forest proclaimed |
| 1870s | First European settlement in the One Tree Hill area |
| 1880 | Bushfires in The Basin |
| 1882 | 168 hectares reserved for public recreation along Fern Tree Gully Creek towards One Tree Hill (the “National Park”) |
| 1893 | 4000 hectares of forest released for settlement in Tremont, Ferny Creek and Sassafras |
| 1896 | Fires burn out settlers in the School Road, Ferny Creek area |
| 1898 | Large areas of the Dandenongs, including Ferny Creek and Sassafras affected by bushfires |
| 1906 | Bushfires in the National Park |
| 1913 | Sherbrooke Forest affected by fire |
| 1914 | Fires at One Tree Hill, National Park in March |
| 1919 | Sassafras and Olinda ringed by bushfire |
| 1923 | Serious bushfires in Sassafras, Sherbrooke Forest |
| 1926 | Widespread bushfires across Victoria. Tremont, National Park, One Tree Hill severely affected. Fire brigades formed in Olinda, Selby, Belgrave South, Ferntree Gully. |
| 1928 | Ferntree Gully National Park formally created |
| 1932 | Extensive bushfires in Sassafras, The Basin |
| 1934 | Bushfires in Ferny Creek |
| 1936 | One Tree Hill, Tremont affected by bushfires |
| 1939 | “Black Friday” fires across Victoria lead to Royal Commission on bushfire management |
| 1942 | Sassafras-Ferny Creek Fire Brigade formed |
| 1945 | Country Fire Authority established |
| 1953 | First fire station built in Clarkmont Road |
| 1954 | Bushfires in the National Park |
| 1954 | First fire truck purchased (1939 V8 Ford Marmon) |
| 1955 | Annual brigade appeal begins |
| 1960 | Bushfire in The Basin threatens Sassafras and Olinda |
| 1962 | Bushfires in Sassafras destroy 10 homes, a guesthouse, six shacks, assorted outbuildings and vehicles. Tremont and One Tree Hill also affected. One man killed at Olinda. |
| 1964 | Olinda swimming pool constructed as a reservoir for fire fighting water |
| 1968 | Bushfire destroys 53 homes and a public hall in Tremont and Upwey area |
| 1970 | Fire station extensively renovated |
| 1971 | Junior Fire Brigade formed |
| 1972 | Fires in the National Park |
| 1973 | Mains water installed in the local area |
| 1974 | More than 40 local bushfires attributed to arson |
| 1974 | Fire station destroyed by falling mountain ash tree |
| 1975 | Fire station reopened |
| 1980 | Arsonist active in the local area |
| 1982 | First women firefighters join brigade |
| 1983 | Old Ferny Creek Primary School destroyed |
| 1983 | Ash Wednesday fires, Sassafras unit sent to Belgrave South |
| 1993 | Antique Market, Sassafras (formerly the Hideaway) destroyed by fire |
| 1994 | Restaurant (Pancakes of Sassafras, formerly The Thistle) destroyed by fire; antique store fire in Sassafras |
| 1997 | Three people die at One Tree Hill, Ferny Creek in bushfire that destroys 34 homes. Read an account of 1997 fires... |
| 2002 | New fire station opened |
The station, 1960s