The fires had devastating effects across Flinder's Chase, D'Estrees, and destroyed large areas of native vegetation.

Almost 20 per cent of the island was ravaged by the bushfires that killed 900 stock and claimed the life of one man.

Four major campaign fires were fought over 10 days, by every emergency agency in Australia.

More than 1400 police, firemen and ambulance officers defended the island with 150 fire units and 17 aircraft, and the Salvation Army stepped-up to the plate and provided 2000 meals a day for evacuees.

Mayor Jayne Bates said tourism was stopped dead in its tracks, with media producing headlines such as 'Island burns'.

"It took a long time for us to get the message out to the public and tourists that we were still open for business," she said.

The island was visited by more than 160,000 tourists on an annual basis.

"We were about to hit our busiest period for tourists and the initial effects were devastating," she said.

But approaching the one-year anniversary of the fires, the island was well on its way to recovery.

* Extract from a full Kangaroo Island feature in Stock Journal, October 9 issue.