One person died and 300 buildings were destroyed in devastating bushfires across south-east Australia. The fires raged for several days in Victoria and New South Wales. The blazes consumed land almost twice the size of Greater London.
The fires started days ago, fueled by hot, dry, and windy conditions. Victoria declared a state of emergency. Thousands of firefighters and over 70 aircraft fought the flames. Residents in over a dozen communities were advised to evacuate.
The destruction is widespread. Victoria's Premier Jacinta Allan reported 30 active fires, with ten of particular concern. As of Sunday morning local time, 350,000 hectares had burned in Victoria alone.
Bushfires are a recurring threat in Australia, exacerbated by climate change. These fires highlight the increasing risk to communities and infrastructure. Authorities expect the fires to continue burning for weeks. The focus remains on containment and protecting lives and property.
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