Victoria, Australia, is reeling from a ferocious wave of bushfires fueled by extreme temperatures exceeding 40°C. The blazes have claimed one life, destroyed over 120 buildings, and left thousands without power in what authorities are calling one of the state’s worst fire emergencies in recent memory.
Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed the death of a 60-year-old man near Harcourt, about 110 km northwest of Melbourne. The incident occurred in his vehicle close to the fire zone on Friday afternoon, though not directly caused by the flames. In a stark reminder of the fires’ ferocity, three people initially reported missing near Longwood, 120 km north of Melbourne, were later found safe despite their home being obliterated in the inferno.
Firefighters faced harrowing conditions, with three personnel injured while battling the flames. By Saturday morning, 10 major fires were still active across Victoria, with officials monitoring 20 additional hotspots. Friday alone saw blazes ignite at 200 locations, scorching more than 300,000 hectares of land.
Power outages affected 38,000 homes and businesses, compounding the chaos. Although temperatures dipped slightly on Saturday, strong winds posed a continued threat, warning of potential rapid fire spread. Emergency services reported extensive wildlife losses alongside the structural devastation.
In response, the state government declared disaster zones in 19 areas, granting authorities powers to seize private property for firefighting, traffic control, and evacuations. Premier Allan urged residents to heed warnings as containment efforts intensify amid unpredictable weather.
