Victoria declares state of disaster as heatwave fuels dozens of bushfires

Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, declared a state of disaster after a severe heatwave fuelled dozens of bushfires across the state, authorities said. The declaration covers 18 local government areas and an alpine resort, the premier said, after fires destroyed at least 10 homes and razed more than 50,000 hectares of bushland, Australian Associated Press reported.

A total fire ban is in place across Victoria and officials issued 19 emergency warnings and alerts as 36 active fire fronts burned "pretty much all parts of the state," Allan said. Three people — two adults and a child — remained unaccounted for after a fire destroyed their house in Longwood.

Victoria police deputy commissioner Bob Hill said firefighters had spoken to the family and warned it was too late to leave; when crews returned later the house was "completely destroyed." The Longwood blaze has burned more than 35,000 hectares and a separate fire near Walwa has burned more than 17,000 hectares.

Both fires were expected to burn uncontrolled for weeks despite the efforts of hundreds or thousands of firefighters working in the field. Allan said it has not been safe for assessment teams to survey all damage, so the government cannot yet confirm the full number of property losses and that assessments will be undertaken.

Key Topics

World, Victoria, Jacinta Allan, Longwood, Walwa, Bushfires