One killed as southeast Australia experiences widespread bushfires
The fires had been burning for days in Victoria, Australia, leading to evacuation orders throughout the region.
Fast spreading flames in Victoria, Australia
A man in Victoria, Australia, tries to use heavy machinery to help fight widespread flames.
VICTORIA, Australia – One person was killed and more than 988,000 acres of land were destroyed after raging bushfires spread rapidly throughout southeast Australia.
The fires had been burning for days in Victoria, Australia, leading to evacuation orders throughout the region.
The government issued a State of Disaster on Saturday which will remain in effect until Feb. 8.
Satellite imagery captures several large fires burning across Australia
Numerous bushfires broke out in the state of Victoria in southeast Australia, destroying more than 400,000 hectares of land.
Officials started urging residents to prepare for days of extreme heat and fire risk earlier last week after a large bushfire began in Mount Lawson State Park on Jan. 5.
"Hot, dry and windy conditions can cause fires to spread quickly and be extremely dangerous," VicEmergency said in a press release. "People should be prepared to leave early and activate their bushfire plan."
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Victoria is known as one of the most fire-prone areas in the world.
But Australians haven’t felt this level of heat and intensity in the region since the Black Summer of 2019, when close to 33 people lost their lives, and 3,000 homes were lost from a devastating bushfire due to similar conditions, according to the Australian Public Service Commission.
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Bushfires and grass fires can start quickly, often without warning, and threaten lives and property within minutes.
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According to officials, Catastrophic Fire Warnings have been in place since Wednesday for locations such as Wimmera, Northern County and North Central Districts.
A Catastrophic Fire rating means these conditions are the most dangerous for a fire; if one starts, people can lose their lives and homes. For your survival, officials advise that you leave bushfire risk areas immediately.
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Four levels of fire danger
Government officials at VicEmergency suggest these tips if caught in these four stages of fire danger:
Moderate: Most fires can be controlled, but you must plan and prepare to respond if one occurs.
High: Be ready to act; if a fire starts, your life and property may be at risk.
Extreme: These are hot, dry and windy fire conditions; check your bushfire plan and ensure your property is fire-ready. If a fire starts, take immediate action.
Catastrophic: If a fire starts and takes hold, lives are likely to be lost, as these are the most dangerous conditions for a fire. Your life may depend on the decisions you make. Stay safe by going to a safer location in the early morning or the night before.
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Over the weekend, officials warned that conditions of the bushfires had progressively worsened as gusty winds combined with hot and dry conditions fueled the expansion of the fire through Victoria near Longwood and Mount Lawson.
"People currently in areas such as forests, bushlands and parks are facing significant risk," Forest Fire Management Victoria Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman said. "Now is not the time to be complacent with your safety – leave early."
This handout photo from the CFA Wandong Fire Brigade posted on their Facebook page taken on January 7, 2026 and released on January 8 shows a bushfire burning near the town of Longwood, northern Victoria. Firefighters warned millions of Australians of "catastrophic" bushfire dangers on January 8 as they battled multiple blazes stoked by a heatwave blanketing the country. (Photo by Kylie Shingles / CFA WANDONG FIRE BRIGADE / AFP via Getty Images) / RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE - MANDATORY CREDIT "AFP PHOTO/CFA Wandong Fire Brigade/Kylie Shingles - NO MARKETING NO ADVERTISING CAMPAIGNS - DISTRIBUTED AS A SERVICE TO CLIENTS
(AFP PHOTO/CFA Wandong Fire Brigade/Kylie Shingles / Getty Images)
Numerous locations, including Lucyvale, Shelley and Berringama, were placed under a warning to take shelter immediately. This means you are in imminent danger and have a high likelihood of being impacted by the flames.
Other areas, such as Bungil, Burrowye and Granya, were under a much greater threat and were instructed to evacuate the area as of 2 p.m. Sunday. These were the only locations with mandatory evacuations.
Officials said leaving immediately was the safest option before conditions become too dangerous.
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Residents in these areas were about 15 miles from the bushfire, which was out of control. This meant it was too late for people to leave the area, and they had to take shelter immediately to survive.
According to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, people need to stay informed and ready to move at a moment's notice, as the widespread flames have already claimed at least one life.
As of Monday, 12 active fires continue to burn across the state. While no Emergency Warning is currently in place, a total fire ban has been declared for the North Central and Northeast districts of Victoria.