State authorities in Victoria, Australia, have declared a disaster zone across parts of the region as dozens of uncontained bushfires tear through over 300,000 hectares of land.
The infernos, fueled by an extreme heatwave, have destroyed homes and left approximately 30,000 properties without power. Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has warned the nation to brace for continued “extreme and dangerous” fire weather.
Okay News reports that Victoria Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed there are currently 10 major fire fronts with 16 emergency warnings in place, particularly threatening areas such as Walwa and Longwood.
These fires are described as the worst to hit the state since the devastating “Black Summer” blazes of 2019-2020. While firefighters battle flames in Victoria and New South Wales under searing 43C (109F) heat, the country faces a concurrent threat in the north.
A tropical low-pressure system off the coast of Queensland is forecast to strengthen into a category one cyclone and make landfall between Cardwell and Bowen by early Sunday.
Meteorologists have issued warnings for “damaging wind gusts” and life-threatening flash flooding, forcing emergency services to manage a dual climate crisis on opposite ends of the continent.
