Overview
- Ten major fires remain active in Victoria, with officials warning some could burn for days or weeks.
- At least 130 structures have been destroyed statewide, and a Longwood-area blaze has scorched roughly 150,000 hectares.
- Water‑bombing aircraft were temporarily grounded by gusts topping 100 km/h, hampering containment efforts.
- Dozens of hamlets have been evacuated under urgent orders, and three people reported missing earlier were found.
- The heatwave has pushed temperatures above 45°C in parts of the south, including 48.2°C at Wudinna, as researchers link rising fire risk to a 1.51°C national warming since 1910.