In a harrowing escalation of Australia’s bushfire season, Victoria state endured over 200 fire starts amid record-breaking heat over 40°C. The disaster claimed a life, gutted 120 buildings, torched 300,000+ hectares, and severed electricity to 38,000 addresses, evoking memories of past national tragedies.
Premier Jacinta Allan revealed a 60-year-old man’s death in his car near Harcourt, fire-adjacent but not flame-induced. Positive news emerged from Longwood, where three presumed lost after their home’s destruction turned up alive.
Injuries to three firefighters underscored the frontline fury. Saturday’s fire count: 10 raging, 20 monitored. Winds, despite cooling temps, signal ongoing peril, with animal deaths adding to the sorrow.
Empowered by disaster proclamations across 19 zones, authorities can now override private land rights for critical operations. Allan’s call to action resonates: stay vigilant, follow orders. As smoke lingers, Victoria unites in recovery efforts, monitoring weather shifts that could reignite the blaze.