Post by : Saif Rahman

Victoria is grappling with one of its most severe fire emergencies in recent times, as relentless bushfires rage across the southeastern state of Australia. As of Friday, authorities have confirmed that three individuals are unaccounted for following the destruction of homes and vast swathes of land in the midst of intense weather.

Firefighters are actively managing over 30 raging fires throughout the state, with soaring temperatures and fierce winds exacerbating the dire situation. Officials have issued a “catastrophic” fire danger rating, the highest classification possible, indicating that containment efforts are incredibly challenging under such severe conditions.

According to the Victoria Emergency Management Commissioner, extreme winds and temperatures climbing as high as 46 degrees Celsius have generated perilous circumstances, particularly in northern regions. State leaders have labeled this day as one of the most hazardous fire days Victoria has encountered in recent memory.

Notable fires are taking hold near Longwood and Walwa. The blaze near Longwood has already obliterated over 35,000 hectares, devastating homes and critical community facilities. Officials deem it too treacherous to assess the total damage in the region.

Law enforcement has identified two adults and a child as missing from the Longwood vicinity. Firefighters had previously alerted the family that it was too late to evacuate and recommended sheltering in place. However, when emergency crews later returned, the home had been completely consumed by flames.

Meanwhile, a significant fire near Walwa has scorched about 20,000 hectares, impacting a nearby pine plantation. Although no residences have been affected there to this point, officials warn that the danger remains elevated as conditions deteriorate.

These devastating fires were ignited during a severe heatwave and represent the most significant crisis since Australia’s catastrophic bushfire season in 2019, which resulted in the loss of 33 lives and devastated large areas of southeastern Australia, an event now referred to as the Black Summer.

Multiple communities have been forced to evacuate, with various parks and campgrounds closing for safety reasons. Emergency services continue to urge residents to remain vigilant, heed evacuation orders, and steer clear of impacted zones.

As firefighting efforts persist, authorities caution that upcoming weather changes will significantly influence the situation in the following days. The top priority remains safeguarding lives as Australia battles the threat of extreme bushfires once again.

#Global News