The devastating bushfires across much of the South East region on Ash Wednesday 1983 are to be recalled at a public commemoration at Kalangadoo.

The 40th anniversary of the fires occurs on February 16 when many in the region will pause to reflect on the inferno.

It claimed 14 lives, destroyed almost 100 houses and caused severe losses of stock, farm land and timber plantations.

Some of the heaviest losses of life and property occurred in the Kalangadoo district.

Members of the Kalangadoo community will gather at 6pm at the Ash Wednesday memorial near the Kalangadoo CFS Brigade fire station on Railway Terrace.

A decade ago there was a 30th anniversary commemoration at the Furner Hall.