CANBERRA – A ferocious bushfire emergency grips southeastern Australia’s Victoria state, forcing thousands to flee their homes amid orders to seek safety immediately. Three individuals – two adults and a child – remain missing as flames ravage the region.
Authorities report around 30 active blazes across Victoria as of Friday, fueled by scorching temperatures exceeding 40°C and fierce winds that make the fires unpredictable and rapid-spreading. The extreme weather has turned firefighting efforts into a desperate battle against nature’s fury.
In a tense press conference, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill revealed the grim news, flanked by emergency services officials and state Premier Jacinta Allan. Hill detailed how the Country Fire Authority urged the trio in central Victoria to evacuate Thursday due to an encroaching blaze threatening their lives. When rescuers returned, they found the house completely incinerated, with no trace of the occupants.
The fires have confirmed destruction in homes in the Central Victorian town of Ruffy, 105 km northeast of Melbourne, prompting evacuation orders for nearby cities and remote northeastern areas. Four regions now face the highest danger level, marking the most widespread threat since 2019.
Premier Allan warned that Friday could be one of Victoria’s most perilous fire days in years. ‘Fires are burning statewide, conditions are already extremely dangerous,’ she urged. ‘If ordered to leave, do so without delay – staying could be fatal.’
Country Fire Authority Chief Fire Officer Jason Heffernan added to the alarm, forecasting temperatures up to 46°C in northern Victoria, with potential lightning strikes in central areas that could ignite new fronts. Fire crews are stretched thin, battling not just the blazes but the ever-shifting winds.
This crisis evokes memories of Australia’s devastating 2019-2020 Black Summer fires, which claimed 33 lives and scorched millions of hectares. As smoke blankets the skies, communities brace for what could be a protracted ordeal, with relief efforts mobilizing nationwide support.