Severe bushfires sweeping through south-east Australia have claimed one life and destroyed around 300 buildings, as emergency crews continue to battle dozens of blazes across the region.
The fires have been burning for several days, with the greatest impact felt in the state of Victoria, although parts of New South Wales have also been affected. Authorities estimate the burned area now covers nearly twice the size of Greater London, making it one of the most serious fire emergencies in the region in recent years.
Victoria has declared a state of emergency, mobilising thousands of firefighters supported by more than 70 aircraft. Residents in over a dozen communities have been urged to evacuate as conditions remain dangerous. Officials warned that the fires could continue burning for weeks due to persistent heat, dry vegetation and strong winds.
Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said about 30 fires were still active across the state, with 10 considered particularly threatening to lives and property. As of Sunday morning, approximately 350,000 hectares of land had been scorched.
She said authorities were far from containing the crisis, noting that several fires were still advancing toward residential areas. Emergency services, she added, are working around the clock to protect communities and critical infrastructure.
Police confirmed that human remains were discovered in the rural village of Gobur, near Longwood, about 110 kilometres north of Melbourne. The victim has not yet been formally identified. The premier expressed condolences to the local community and praised emergency workers involved in the recovery effort, describing the task as emotionally challenging.
Smoke from the fires has significantly reduced air quality across large parts of Victoria, including Melbourne, prompting health warnings for vulnerable residents.
Officials said the scale of destruction marks the most serious bushfire event in south-east Australia since the catastrophic 2019–2020 fire season, which burned vast areas of land and resulted in dozens of deaths nationwide.
Several towns have suffered extensive damage. In Harcourt, a small community in Victoria’s central highlands, firefighter Tyrone Rice lost his own home while he was deployed on the fire front. Speaking to local media, he described the moment he learned of the loss as devastating but said he remained focused on helping others.
Local fire captain Andrew Wilson said the damage in Harcourt was deeply distressing, with entire streets reduced to rubble.
Journalists visiting affected areas reported scenes of widespread destruction, with many homes reduced to little more than twisted metal roofs and ash-covered foundations.
While experts caution against attributing individual fires directly to climate change, scientists have repeatedly warned that rising temperatures are increasing the frequency of extreme heat and dry conditions, making severe bushfire seasons more likely.