One dead as Victoria battles 27 bushfires after nearly 400,000 hectares burn
Firefighters continue to battle more than 20 active wildfires burning across the state; Approximately 400,000 hectares of land were blackened and hundreds of structures were lost.
There are 27 fires in Victoria, including major fires in the Walwa and Otway Ranges; both are still in a state of emergency and the number of hectares burned now stands at 395,100. More than 300 structures and countless animals were destroyed. A spokesman for the State Control Center said some of the remaining fires could burn for weeks.
The Longwood fire was downgraded to watch and action late Sunday afternoon. Residents of Yarck, Ruffy, Longwood and surrounding areas have been urged to stop travel in the fire-affected area.
47 homes and three businesses were destroyed in the Ravenswood fire. More than 150 structures burned, vineyards were destroyed and countless animals perished in the Longwood fire.
In Natimuk, where the grass fire was brought under control, 30 houses and 40 sheds were destroyed. A further 12 structures were burned along with grazing and cropland at Yarroweyah, and more than 25 buildings were lost at Streatham.
A massive fire is still burning uncontrolled at Walwa, near the NSW border, which destroyed 10,000 hectares of pine plantation as well as four other structures.
Longwood wildfire turns deadly
The fires also killed one person, and police confirmed a body was found at the Longwood fire site on Sunday. The person found 100 meters away from a vehicle on Gobur Yarck Road has not yet been officially identified.
On Sunday afternoon, forensic officers wearing white overalls and face masks were seen inspecting the asphalt edge near the bend. Officers then covered the scene with a blue tarp before a white coroner’s van departed for the scene just after 5.40pm.
The Bureau of Meteorology on Sunday canceled heatwave warnings across the state after days of 40-degree temperatures, but temperatures in two major fire zones are still expected to reach the low to mid-30s on Monday; It was 35 degrees at Walwa, near the NSW border, and 32 degrees at Longwood.
Air quality remains poor in Melbourne, Geelong, Ballarat, the South West and the Wimmera, while air is very poor in the Mallee, Northern Country, North East and West and South Gippsland.
A total fire ban remains in place for the North East and North Central regions today. There is a high fire danger rating in the Mallee, Wimmera, North Central, North East and South West regions.
Warnings are in place for those living around the Walwa fire and those in Bungil, Burrowye and Granya have been urged to leave the area immediately. Officials warn it is too late to leave for residents of Berringama, Bullioh, Koetong, Lucyvale, Shelley, Tallangatta Valley and surrounding areas. They were called for shelter.
Residents of Bethanga, Georges Creek, Jarvis Creek, Noorongong, Old Tallangatta, Tallangatta and surrounding areas have been told to monitor conditions and be ready to take action if the situation worsens.
A fire in the Otways near Colac is threatening lives in the Carlisle River area. He told Irrewillipe residents to seek shelter immediately. Neighborhoods were warned to monitor changing conditions.
Over the weekend, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Jacinta Allan announced $19.5 million in additional funding for fire-affected communities, on top of the personal hardship benefits announced on Friday.
About half of the extra funding will help distribute hay to farmers in need, while the rest will go to initiatives such as emergency shelter and mental health support.
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