Bushfire crisis grips south-east Australia with hundreds of homes lost

International

HUNDREDS of homes have been destroyed and one person killed as fierce bushfires continue to ravage south-east Australia, with flames consuming land almost twice the size of Greater London.

The blazes, raging in multiple locations for several days, have primarily affected Victoria, with New South Wales also experiencing significant fire activity.

Victoria has declared a state of emergency as thousands of firefighters, supported by over 70 aircraft, work to contain the flames. Authorities have advised residents in more than a dozen communities to evacuate.

Officials warn the fires, driven by extreme heat, strong winds, and dry conditions, could continue for several weeks.

Victoria’s Premier Jacinta Allan said there were 30 active fires across the state, with 10 posing particular concern. She reported that by 08:00 local time on Sunday (23:00 GMT on Saturday), roughly 350,000 hectares had been burned.

“We will see fires continue for some time across the state and that is why we are not through the worst of this by a long way,” Allan told Australian media, as reported by the BBC.

She also noted that fires were continuing to threaten homes and property, emphasizing the ongoing risks and the need for vigilance.

Human remains were discovered in the village of Gobur, near Longwood, about 110km north of Melbourne. Police have not yet identified the victim.

Allan praised emergency personnel for their efforts in recovering the body, saying the work was difficult and confronting and acknowledging the heavy toll on those involved. She also expressed that the Gobur community is grieving.

Smoke from the fires has worsened air quality across Victoria, including in metropolitan Melbourne.

Authorities described these fires as the worst to strike south-east Australia since the 2019–2020 season, when blazes killed 33 people and destroyed an area the size of Turkey.

The small town of Harcourt, in Victoria’s central highlands, is among the hardest hit.

Firefighter Tyrone Rice lost his own home while battling the flames, describing the moment as “like a kick in the guts, but I’m not the first person to go through it, and I won’t be the last.”

Local fire captain Andrew Wilson said the destruction there was gut-wrenching, highlighting the widespread damage and emotional toll on the community.

Jack Ward, a reporter for Australia’s 9 News who visited several affected towns, described the destruction he witnessed as catastrophic, with many homes reduced to little more than tin roofs lying on the ground.

While it remains difficult to link individual fires directly to climate change, scientists say that hotter, drier conditions—which are becoming more frequent due to climate change—create the perfect environment for devastating bushfires.(MyTVCebu)