Australian bushfires raze homes, cut power to tens of thousands

Thousands of firefighters worked tirelessly on Saturday in Victoria, Australia, to combat bushfires that have destroyed homes, left tens of thousands without power, and scorched large areas of bushland.

The fires, which mostly started midweek during an intense heatwave in the southeast of Australia, have ravaged over 300,000 hectares (741,316 acres) of land, with 10 major fires still burning across the state, according to authorities. More than 130 structures, including homes, have been destroyed, and around 38,000 homes and businesses are without electricity. The fires are considered the worst to hit the state since the Black Summer fires of 2019-2020, which devastated an area the size of Turkey and claimed 33 lives.

Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed that thousands of firefighters were actively working to control the fires. “Where possible, the fires will be brought under control,” she said during a televised media briefing from Melbourne.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking from Canberra, warned that the nation was facing a day of “extreme and dangerous” fire conditions, particularly in Victoria, where much of the state has been declared a disaster zone. "My thoughts are with Australians in these regional communities during this very difficult time," he added.

One of the largest fires, located near the town of Longwood, around 112 km (69.6 miles) north of Melbourne, has consumed 130,000 hectares (320,000 acres) of bushland, destroying 30 structures, vineyards, and agricultural land. Dozens of communities in the area have been evacuated, and many parks and campgrounds across the state have been closed.

A heatwave warning was issued for large parts of Victoria on Saturday, with fire weather warnings also in place for neighbouring New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory, according to the nation's weather agency.

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