One person dead as PM visits bushfire-ravaged towns with 300 structures destroyed and 350,000 hectares burned
Almost a dozen emergency warnings remain in place across Victoria, with state premier saying ‘we are not through the worst of this by a long way’
TL;DR
- One person has died in the Longwood bushfire area.
- Over 300 structures, including about 80 homes, have been destroyed.
- Approximately 350,000 hectares of bushland have burned.
- Hundreds of homes and businesses were lost in specific areas like Ravenswood, Harcourt, Natimuk, and Longwood.
- A state of disaster remains in place across much of Victoria.
- Thousands of firefighters are working to contain fires expected to last for weeks.
- Disaster recovery funding totaling $19.5 million has been announced.
- Emergency warnings urge residents to leave immediately or take shelter.
- Air quality is poor statewide due to smoke, with specific advice for sensitive groups.
- Tap water in Harcourt is unsafe to drink due to contamination risk.
- The heatwave has subsided in Victoria, with cooler temperatures now present.
- Tropical Cyclone Koji has made landfall in Queensland, bringing heavy rain and wind.