Temperatures in several parts of the state climbed above 40 degrees Celsius following intense heatwaves, while strong, dry winds created some of the most dangerous fire conditions seen since the Black Summer bushfires. Those fires devastated millions of hectares, destroyed thousands of homes and blanketed cities in toxic smoke.
State Premier Jacinta Allan on Saturday announced the disaster declaration, granting emergency services expanded powers to enforce evacuations in high-risk areas.
“It’s all about one thing: protecting Victorian lives. And it sends one clear message: if you have been told to leave, go,” Allan said.
She added that fire crews were searching for three people reported missing inside one of the state’s most dangerous fire zones.
Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said fires burning for weeks had already destroyed around 50 homes in Harcourt and Ravenswood, while also damaging the Bendigo railway line.
“We have seen significant livestock losses, as well as cropping land and vineyards that have been impacted or destroyed,” he told reporters.
Wiebusch warned that fire conditions were expected to worsen, with major blazes likely to continue burning and spreading for days or even weeks, driven by lightning strikes and extreme weather.
“Conditions we experienced yesterday are unlike what we saw in 2009 and 2019. More than 200 grass and scrub fires affected every corner of the state, with 10 still classified as major fires,” he said.
Researchers note that Australia’s climate has warmed by about 1.5 degrees Celsius since 1910, contributing to more frequent and severe extreme weather events. As one of the world’s largest fossil fuel producers and exporters, Australia is facing the growing impacts of the climate crisis at unprecedented levels.
