‘We’ve got your back’: Australian PM visits bushfire-ravaged towns as 300 structures destroyed and 350,000 hectares burned | Bushfires

Australian officials are assessing the damage after one of the worst heatwaves in years resulted in bushfires in the south-east of the country, destroying hundreds of homes and structures, burning thousands of hectares and evacuating entire towns.

A state of disaster remained across much of Victoria on Sunday as thousands of firefighters and emergency workers continued to battle fires expected to last “for weeks”.

More than 300 structures were destroyed and more than 80 homes were lost as the fires burned 350,000 hectares of bushland, officials said. There has been no loss of life so far.

Premier Anthony Albanese told Victorians: “We have your back, not just through this crisis but throughout the recovery.”

Albanese announced that the disaster recovery fund, currently totaling $20 million, would be provided in partnership with the state government.

Fifteen emergency alerts were issued at midday on Sunday, urging residents to “leave immediately” or “take shelter immediately” as massive bushfires in the Otways, Longwood in central Victoria and the north-east along the New South Wales border grow out of control, according to VicEmergency.

Victorian premier Jacinta Allan said the state was facing “another difficult day” with 32 active fires.

“We’re not over the worst of it yet. If you’re told to go by the emergency department, do it,” Allan said. “Stay safe and support our firefighters.”

of the state Emergency management commissioner Tim Wiebusch said it was disappointing to see spectators traveling to wildfire-affected areas.

“Please do not enter fire-affected areas. Stay away from them until it is safe,” he said. People have been warned that falling tree limbs could be fatal even after the fire has passed.

Authorities have begun assessing property losses, Wiebusch said. More than 47 homes and three businesses were destroyed in Ravenswood and Harcourt, fires in Natimuk destroyed 30 homes and 40 sheds, and nearly 150 structures were lost in Longwood. One house and 12 sheds were destroyed on Mount Mercer.

The commissioner said many areas were still too dangerous to assess casualties and damage.

Thirteen outreach centers were open across the state offering support to affected communities.

A statewide total fire ban remained in place, with high fire danger remaining in the Mallee, Wimmera, northern, mid-north and north-east regions due to dry and windy conditions.

Active fires continued to restrict road access as federal and state officials worked to provide food and feed to the surviving animals.

Due to the potential for drifting smoke and ash from fires, air quality advisories have been issued statewide, encouraging people to stay indoors and limit prolonged or strenuous physical activity.

VicEmergency advised, “Your nose is an excellent smoke detector. If you can smell smoke, take the necessary precautions to protect your health.”

“People who are more susceptible to smoking are those with heart or lung conditions, including asthma, people over the age of 65, infants and children, and pregnant women.”

The Victorian Environment Protection Authority estimated “very poor” air quality was common at stations in Bendigo, Bright and Mount Clear, with “very poor” quality observed between 7am and 8am.

Residents of Harcourt, a central mountain town, have been told not to drink tap water due to the risk of contamination. Water company Coliban Water was unable to access the water network, which had burst due to the fires. “don’t drink” advice drinking alcohol, preparing food, preparing baby food, brushing teeth or making ice.

Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Angus Hines said temperatures had dropped significantly in Victoria after three days of “scorching hot temperatures”, with many places now experiencing cooler than average temperatures for January.

“This has been a real transition,” he said Sunday.

He said Victoria could expect mild conditions over the coming days, but no significant rain was expected until the end of the week.

“We could see wet weather across parts of Victoria’s south and east on Thursday or Friday. Current forecasts suggest most of this rain will be on the south side of the mountains and outside the Gippsland region.”

Australia experienced this Fourth hottest year on record in 2025According to BoM, average temperatures across the country rose to 1.23C. The climate crisis has increased the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including heat waves and wildfires.