Victoria, Australia: Thousands of firefighters in Victoria are battling devastating bushfires that have destroyed homes, cut power to tens of thousands, and consumed hundreds of thousands of hectares of bushland.
The fires, which ignited amid a severe heatwave midweek, have burned more than 300,000 hectares (741,000 acres) across the state. Authorities reported at least 130 structures, including homes, destroyed, while roughly 38,000 residences and businesses remain without electricity. Ten major fires continue to burn across Victoria.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said thousands of firefighters are actively working to contain the blazes. “Where we can, fires will be brought under control,” she said during a televised briefing in Melbourne.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese warned of “extreme and dangerous” fire conditions, noting that much of Victoria has been declared a disaster zone. He expressed solidarity with affected communities in a televised address from Canberra.
One of the largest fires, near Longwood, about 112 km north of Melbourne, has burned 130,000 hectares (320,000 acres), destroying 30 structures, vineyards, and farmland. Dozens of communities have been evacuated, and many parks and campgrounds remain closed.
Authorities have issued heatwave warnings across large parts of Victoria, with fire weather alerts active in neighboring New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.
