"Authorities in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria declared a state of disaster on Saturday amid bushfires that have destroyed homes, caused large-scale power outages and razed huge swathes of bushland. The fires have been described as the worst to hit the state since the Black Summer blazes of 2019-2020, which burnt out 240,000 square kilometres (93,000 square miles) and killed 33 people."
"The fires, most of which broke out earlier in the week, have so far burnt across more than 300,000 hectares (741,316 acres) of bushland, authorities said on Saturday. They said 10 large bushfires were still burning. A fire near Longwood has been one of the most destructiveImage: Wandong Fire Brigade/REUTERS Most of the worst blazes have hit sparsely populated rural areas."
"The heavily forested region near the town Longwood, about 112 km (69.6 miles) north of the state capital, Melbourne, has been one of the worst affected, with a bushfire there burning across 150,000 hectares (370,000 acres). Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said at least 130 structures, including houses, sheds and other buildings had been destroyed across the state. The fires erupted amid a heat wave in the state, with temperatures surpassing 40 C (104 F)."
Victoria declared a state of disaster after multiple bushfires destroyed homes, caused widespread power outages, and burned extensive areas of bushland. More than 300,000 hectares have been scorched and ten large bushfires remain active, including a Longwood fire that consumed about 150,000 hectares. At least 130 structures, including houses and sheds, have been destroyed and roughly 38,000 residences and businesses lost power. The fires coincided with a heat wave with temperatures above 40 C. Hundreds of firefighters were deployed from across the country and emergency powers were used to compel evacuations.
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