Authorities in Victoria declared a state of disaster as a heatwave and strong winds fuelled widespread bushfires that have destroyed homes and scorched nearly 150,000 hectares near Longwood. At least 130 structures were lost, approximately 10 major fires remain active and hundreds of firefighters have been deployed. Officials warned fires could burn for days or weeks, and urged residents to comply with evacuation orders.
Victoria Declares State Of Disaster As Intense Bushfires Consume Hundreds Of Thousands Of Hectares
A bushfire rips through Mount Lawson State Park in Australia's Victoria state (Handout)(Handout/Forest Fire Management Victoria/AFP)
Australian authorities declared a state of disaster in Victoria on Saturday after an intense wave of bushfires destroyed homes, devastated farmland and burned vast tracts of native forest across the state's southeast.
Temperatures surged past 40°C during a severe heatwave this week, and hot, gusty winds produced some of the most dangerous fire conditions seen since the 2019–2020 'Black Summer' season. One of the most destructive fires swept through almost 150,000 hectares (about 370,000 acres) near Longwood, leaving charred landscape and communities on edge.
Victoria's premier, Jacinta Allan, announced the state of disaster to give emergency services broader powers, including the ability to order and enforce evacuations where necessary.
"It's all about one thing: protecting Victorian lives," Allan said. "If you have been told to leave, go."
Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch told reporters that at least 130 structures — including houses, sheds and other buildings — had been destroyed across the state. He also reported significant losses to livestock, cropping land and vineyards.
Wiebusch said roughly 10 major fires remained active, and many were expected to burn for days or weeks despite some easing in weather. Authorities warned new ignitions were likely after lightning strikes overnight and throughout the previous afternoon.
Three people who had been reported missing in one of the most dangerous fire zones were later located, officials said. Hundreds of firefighters from across Australia have been mobilised to support containment and protection efforts in predominantly rural areas where towns often count only a few hundred residents.
Photographs from the affected regions showed orange night skies as flames raced through bushland. Local accounts described embers raining down and conditions so intense near Walwa that a fire-generated, localized thunderstorm formed.
Beyond human and property losses, the extreme heat and fires have had environmental impacts: a South Australian wildlife group reported hundreds of baby bats died during the heatwave, while broad damage to habitat and agricultural production is still being assessed.
Researchers note that Australia has warmed about 1.51°C since 1910, a trend that contributes to more frequent and severe extreme weather events. The country remains a major global producer and exporter of coal and gas — fossil fuels closely linked to rising global temperatures.
What to watch next: emergency services say residents should follow evacuation orders, expect continued smoke and ash impacts in affected regions, and prepare for further fire activity from lightning and lingering high temperatures.
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