Devastating Bushfires in Australia: One Dead, 300 Buildings Lost

Sun Jan 11 2026 21:01:50 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Fires have ravaged parts of south-east Australia, resulting in one death and extensive property damage. Thousands of firefighters are battling the flames amid worsening conditions.

Australia is grappling with severe bushfires across the south-east, particularly in Victoria and New South Wales. A state of emergency has been declared as one person has died and over 300 structures have been destroyed. Thousands of firefighters and aircraft are engaged in efforts to control the blazes, which continue to spread under extreme weather conditions. Authorities warn that the fires are expected to last for weeks, affecting air quality in many areas.

One person has died and 300 homes and buildings have been destroyed in bushfires that have torn across south-east Australia.

The fires have raged in dozens of locations across the country for several days, mostly in the state of Victoria, but also in New South Wales, burning through land almost twice the size of Greater London.

A state of emergency has been declared in Victoria as thousands of firefighters and more than 70 aircraft battled the blaze. Residents in more than a dozen communities have been advised to leave their homes.

The authorities fear the blazes, which are being fuelled by very hot, dry and windy conditions, could burn for several weeks.

Victoria's Premier, Jacinta Allan, stated that 30 active fires were burning across the state, with ten considered particularly concerning. As of Sunday morning, 350,000 hectares had been burnt.

Areas like Harcourt, where firefighter Tyrone Rice lost his home while battling another blaze, have seen catastrophic damage. Reports describe scenes where only remnants of houses remain, highlighting the deep impact on local communities.

Authorities have noted that these fires are among the worst since the devastating bushfire season of 2019-2020, which took the lives of 33 people and burnt an area the size of Turkey. As the community grieves, emergency workers are acknowledged for their strenuous efforts in difficult circumstances.