Devastating Bushfires in Australia Claim One Life and Destroy 300 Buildings

Mon Jan 12 2026 15:10:43 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

Bushfires in southeastern Australia have resulted in one fatality and the destruction of numerous properties, prompting a state of emergency as firefighters battle the flames across several regions.

A series of bushfires across southeastern Australia have led to one death and destroyed 300 buildings, primarily in Victoria. The fires continue to pose significant threats to communities, as conditions remain hot and dry. Authorities fear that the blazes could last for weeks, with a reported 350,000 hectares already affected.

One person has died and 300 properties 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 battle the blaze. Residents in more than a dozen communities have been advised to leave their homes. Authorities fear the fires, which are being fuelled by very hot, dry and windy conditions, could burn for several weeks.

Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan said 30 active fires were burning across the state, 10 of which were of particular concern. She noted that 350,000 hectares had been burnt across the state as of 08:00 local time on Sunday (23:00 GMT on Saturday).

Human remains were found in the village of Gobur, near the town of Longwood, some 110km (70 sq miles) north of the state capital Melbourne, police said. The victim has not yet been identified. Allan praised the emergency workers who retrieved the body, stating, This is difficult and confronting work, and it takes a heavy toll.

One of the worst-affected locations is the small town of Harcourt, where firefighter Tyrone Rice lost his own home while battling the flames. He described the experience as a kick in the guts. Local residents and reporters have described the destruction as catastrophic, with many homes reduced to mere foundations.

Authorities are increasingly alarmed as bushfire smoke impacts air quality in many areas, including metropolitan Melbourne. These fires represent the worst in the southeast since the devastating 2019-2020 bushfires that resulted in widespread destruction and loss of life.