The Australian state of Victoria is beginning to assess the scale of destruction following a series of devastating bushfires that have ripped through central regions, destroying hundreds of structures and prompting a major emergency response.
A State in Flames: The Scale of the Disaster
Authorities have confirmed that at least 350 structures have been lost so far in what the state's premier has described as 'heartbreaking' losses. The fires, which have burned tens of thousands of hectares, have particularly impacted communities around the towns of Longwood, Ruffy, and Gobur, forcing widespread evacuations under catastrophic fire conditions.
Among the properties destroyed are the homes of volunteer firefighters, adding a poignant layer of sacrifice to the crisis. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) has been at the forefront of the battle, with images showing crews like Strike Team 1210 departing from Seymour and firefighters such as Ian Millar of the Strathbogie brigade repairing tankers to return to the fireground.
Community and Agricultural Heartbreak
The human and agricultural toll is starkly visible across the scorched landscape. Residents like Daryl Otzen have returned to find their properties and vehicles completely burnt out. In Upton Hill, a solitary blackened sheep stands in a charred paddock, while a melted tricycle lies among the ruins of a family home, symbolising the personal tragedies unfolding.
The fires have cast a vast pall of smoke over the region, with an eerie orange hue seen over Melbourne's Docklands, hundreds of kilometres away. In the centre of Yarck, the destruction is near-total. Yet amidst the loss, stories of community resilience emerge, such as East Gippsland resident Colin Brown distributing relief hay to fire-affected farmers in Ruffy.
Ongoing Battle and Official Response
As of 10 January 2026, CFA firefighters were still mopping up remaining hotspots near Alexandra, with firefighting aircraft conducting water drops near Creightons Creek. The fire season is far from over, and Victorians have been warned to prepare for further challenges.
In response to the crisis, the Victorian Premier has announced a fundraising appeal for victims. The community effort is also visible on the ground, with locals like Year 11 student Max assisting by hosing down burning logs in Ruffy, and firefighters such as Wayne Doig, 1st lieutenant at Oxley fire brigade, catching brief moments of rest at the Merton fire station.
The visual record of the disaster—from the Avenel shop beside the Avenel-Longwood Road to the Wandong Fire Brigade's footage of the Longwood fire burning—paints a sobering picture of a state grappling with a formidable and ongoing natural disaster.
