Australian Bushfires Destroy Homes, Cut Power to Tens of Thousands

Severe bushfires continue to rage across the Australian state of Victoria, destroying homes, cutting electricity to tens of thousands of people and burning vast areas of forest, as firefighters battle to bring the blazes under control.

Authorities said on Saturday that the fires, most of which ignited in midweek during an intense heatwave in south-eastern Australia, have burned more than 300,000 hectares of bushland. At least 10 major fires remain active across the state, posing ongoing risks to communities.

More than 130 buildings, including residential homes, have been destroyed, while power outages have affected around 38,000 homes and businesses. Officials described the crisis as the worst bushfire emergency in Victoria since the devastating Black Summer fires of 2019–2020.

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan said thousands of firefighters were deployed across the state, working around the clock to contain the fires and protect lives and property.

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology issued heatwave warnings for large parts of Victoria on Saturday, warning that extreme temperatures could worsen fire conditions. Fire weather alerts were also issued for neighboring New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

Emergency services urged residents in affected areas to stay alert, follow evacuation orders and monitor official warnings, as hot, dry and windy conditions continue to fuel dangerous bushfire behavior across south-eastern Australia.