In pictures: Black Saturday still haunts Australians, 10 years on

This day 10 years ago Australia's deadliest bushfires devastated communities throughout Victoria. Here is a look at some of the powerful images from 2009.

A Country Fire Authority (CFA) fire truck is pictured in front of flames while fighting a bushfire at the Bunyip State Forest near the township of Tonimbuk, Saturday, Feb. 7, 2009.

Bunyip Sate Forest bushfires near the townbship of Tonimbuk, Saturday, Feb.07, 2009. Source: AAP

Communities around Victoria have gathered together today to remember Australia's deadliest fires, as tight-knit communities commemorate a decade since the devastation.

Numerous commemorative events across Victoria will pay tribute to the 173 people who lost their lives on February 7 in 2009.

The fires also left 400 people injured, destroyed more than 2,000 properties and displaced 7,500 people.

Here is a look at some of the powerful images that emerged 10 years ago:

A bushfire burns in the Bunyip State Forest near the township of Tonimbuk, Saturday, Feb. 07, 2009. Authorities have issued urgent fire warnings to towns near a bushfire burning out of control east of Melbourne.
Bunyip Sate Forest bushfires near the townbship of Tonimbuk, Saturday, Feb.07, 2009. Source: AAP

An aerial view of property destroyed by bushfires near Kinglake, north east of Melbourne, Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009. Fires across Victoria have taken 107 lives and injured many more.
Property destroyed by fires north east of Melbourne, Australia Sunday, Feb. 8, 2009. Source: AAP

Local CFA firefighter David Tree shares his water with an injured Australian Koala at Mirboo North after wildfires swept through the region on Sunday, Feb. 1, 2009.
Local CFA firefighter David Tree shares his water with an injured Australian Koala at Mirboo North after wildfires swept through the region in 2009. Source: Mark Pardew

Firefighters fill their truck with water from a dam north east of Melbourne in an attempt to stop the impact of the inferno.
Firefighters fill their truck with water from a dam north east of Melbourne in an attempt to stop the impact of the inferno. Source: AAP

One wall stands above the rubble of a destroyed church at Kinglake northeast of Melbourne on Sunday, 8 February 2009.
One wall stands above the rubble of a destroyed church at Kinglake northeast of Melbourne on Sunday, 8 February 2009. Source: AAP


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