Homes of volunteer firefighters among 350 structures lost so far in ‘heartbreaking’ Victorian bushfires | Victoria bushfires 2026

The number of buildings lost in Victoria’s devastating bushfires has risen to 350; officials have warned that number will rise as assessors gain access to more areas affected by the 12 major fires still raging across the state.

Speaking from the small western Victorian town of Natimuk on Monday, Jacinta Allan also announced a fundraising appeal to support fire victims.

Natimuk, about 25 kilometers west of the regional town of Horsham, lost at least 30 homes as the Grass Flat fire ripped through the county on Friday, the Victorian premier said.

The “heartbreaking” losses included the homes of volunteer firefighters who “were not here to protect their own homes because they were out to protect others.”

“This is a small community, a strong community,” Allan told reporters. “These 30 houses represent a significant portion of the population in Natimuk.

“But the community is already talking about how they work together, how they rebuild, how they support each other.”

Victoria’s emergency management commissioner Tim Wiebusch said the bushfires were causing widespread damage across the state and more losses were expected as assessments continued.

Conditions eased across the state on Monday but Victorians were warned to prepare for a poor season.

The country’s Fire Authority chief officer Jason Heffernan said data from the Bureau of Meteorology showed the weather was likely to warm again in late January, increasing the risk of fires.

“There’s a lot of fire on the landscape,” he said. “There will be a lot of work between now and then to get these fires under control, but Victorians have time to prepare and make preparations for the rest of the season.”

At least 154 structures were destroyed in the Longwood fire, which affected Euroa, Yarck and the surrounding area, but it remains unclear how many of these were houses, sheds or outbuildings.

Streatham lost 59 structures, including 18 homes, while Ravenswood and Harcourt lost 47 homes and three businesses. Wiebusch added that there were significant animal losses in both regions.

Other affected areas include the border town of Yarroweyah, which lost 10 structures, and Walwa, which lost four structures, as well as “agricultural and planning impacts” that will continue to grow, Wiebusch said.

A house and 12 sheds were destroyed at Mount Mercer, while Kennedys Creek in the Otways and Dargo lost a property each.

Wiebusch confirmed that the remains found Sunday in Longwood were those of a man whose car had run off the road. He has not been officially identified.

“This gentleman was found about 100 yards away from that car and was in the fire area,” he said.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the news was “devastating” and his thoughts were with the man’s family, friends and community.

“Our thoughts are also with the people who have lost their homes, which has made this incredibly difficult,” he said. “These are communities that are under real pressure.”

Another man in his 60s was found dead following a suspicious medical incident in Harcourt on Friday.

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Wiebeusch said 12 fires were burning across the state Monday, but easing conditions meant firefighters were able to contain fires in Streatham, Mount Mercer and Natimuk.

Two emergency alerts issued As of 1.30pm on Monday, one related to the Walwa fire and the other in the south-west, on the Carlisle River near Irrewillipe, remained out of control and residents were told to take shelter.

Warnings in the Longwood area were downgraded to “watch and act” overnight, while the Otway fire threat eased.

Meanwhile, incident controller Michael Masters told a community meeting on Monday afternoon that local residents could return to Harcourt to assess their properties from 6pm.

While the fire burned more than 3,600 hectares, he said the local primary school, mobile phone tower, gas station, public bus stop and football fields were saved thanks to “the good luck and work of our firefighters”.

Victorian bushfire appeal launched

Allan announced Monday that the state and federal government will begin providing assistance payments of up to $52,250 to eligible uninsured households to help them reestablish their primary residence.

The Rural Financial Advice Service, first established as part of the government’s response to drought, will be expanded to provide financial and business advice as well as mental health support. Starting Friday, grants of up to $5,000 will be available for events and activities that support mental health and well-being.

The state government has also launched the 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal, creating a centralized route for donations to support fire-affected communities.

“Donations can start to be made online tomorrow and I would encourage people who are looking for a way to provide support, this appeal is the best way to provide that support,” Allan said.

The Prime Minister also denied the government had cut funding to emergency services and described the allegations as “false”.

Heffernan added that the CFA budget had increased on a yearly basis and a further $20 million had been provided after the government warned this fire season would be “major”.

He said he understood volunteers’ concerns about older fire trucks and that “quite a few” vehicles had been removed from the fleet.

“We currently have over 167 new trucks on order or in production,” Heffernan said.