Apocalypse Now: Victoria Burns as Bushfires Rage On, Leaving Trail of Destruction and Death in Their Wake
- At least 130 homes lost as bushfires continue to ravage Victoria, with 67 fires burning across the state and 10 remaining out-of-control
- State of Disaster declared as Premier Jacinta Allan warns of “extraordinary scale and danger” with 38,000 homes and businesses left without power
- Three people initially reported missing in Longwood East found safe, but a 60-year-old man’s body discovered in his car near the Ravenswood South bushfire
- Firefighters injured, including one with severe third-degree burns, as they battle catastrophic blazes with inadequate resources
The bushfire crisis in Victoria has entered its second day, with the state teetering on the brink of disaster. At least 130 homes have been lost, with the actual number expected to be much higher. The fires have left a trail of destruction and death in their wake, with a 60-year-old man’s body discovered in his car near the Ravenswood South bushfire.
Premier Jacinta Allan has declared a State of Disaster, giving authorities extra powers to confront the emergency. “This declaration gives our authorities extra powers to confront an emergency of extraordinary scale and danger. Tonight, we have reached that level of danger,” she said.
The fires have also had a devastating impact on the community, with artists and farmers Michelle and Chris from Mt Budd in central Victoria watching their home and photography studio being consumed by the Longwood fire on a security camera. “We watched our house being consumed on a security camera until the live feed was cut yesterday about 4:30pm,” they wrote in a statement.
Firefighters have been injured while battling the blazes, including one with severe third-degree burns to their hand. “We’ve just been out fighting the grass and scrub fire … it’s a total fire ban day 40 degree heat at the moment,” said TikTok User Levy Busters, a Victorian firefighter. “This is not acceptable. How many politicians would be driving around in a 29-year-old vehicle, or driving around a vehicle without airconditioning on a day like today?”
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has spoken about the devastating bushfires, pointing to the Australian spirit being shown during the crisis. “This is a time where Australians are once again showing that at the worst of times we see the best of the Australian character,” he said.
The situation remains critical, with 67 fires burning across the state and 10 remaining out-of-control. Residents have been urged to “take shelter now” in communities around the Longwood bushfire, Carlisle River fire and Walwa region fire. Warnings are now in place across more than 800,000 hectares of land in Victoria.
The catastrophic conditions have drawn comparisons to the devastating Black Summer bushfires of 2019-20, but authorities warn the current models could be “worse”. The state’s fire ban means no fire can be lit in the open air or allowed to remain alight from 12.01am to 11.59pm.