Wildfires in southeastern Australia remain severe, with at least one fatality reported so far and hundreds of homes destroyed, while authorities warn that the fires could continue burning for several weeks.
Foreign news agencies reported on Sunday, 10 Jan 2026 GMT+7, that severe wildfires at dozens of locations in southeastern Australia, burning for several days, have killed at least one person and destroyed more than 300 homes.
Most of the wildfires are in the state of Victoria, with some in New South Wales, burning an area nearly twice the size of Greater London.
Victoria has already declared a state of emergency, while thousands of firefighters and over 70 aircraft are urgently battling the flames. Additionally, residents in more than ten communities have been advised to evacuate for their safety.
Australian authorities are concerned that these wildfires, fueled by extreme heat, drought, and strong winds, may continue to burn for many more weeks.
Jacinta Allan, head of the Victorian government, revealed that as of 8:00 a.m. on Sunday (10 Jan), there are still 30 active wildfire sites across the state, with 10 being of particular concern. The fires have burned over 350,000 hectares (about 2.187 million rai) so far.
"We will continue to see wildfires across the state for some time, which is why we are still far from the worst point of this event," Allan told Australian media. "There are still active fires threatening homes and various properties."
Police reported that a body was found in the village of Gobur near Longwood, approximately 110 kilometers north of Melbourne, the state capital. The identity of the deceased has not yet been confirmed.
Smoke from the wildfires is affecting air quality across many areas of Victoria, including the metropolitan area of Melbourne.
One of the hardest-hit areas is the small town of Harcourt in Victoria’s central highlands, where firefighter Tyrone Rice lost his own home to the flames. He learned his house was burning while he was out fighting another wildfire.
He told Australian media that the feeling was "like being kicked hard in the stomach, but this is not the first time someone has experienced this, and I won’t be the last."
.bbc