Overview
- The Longwood blaze has scorched more than 84,000 hectares, with the Mount Lawson/Walwa area over 19,000 hectares, as authorities report dozens of active fires under a catastrophic rating.
- Two adults and a child are unaccounted for in Longwood East after firefighters later found the home they sheltered at destroyed, with hot spots delaying a full search and assessment.
- Confirmed property losses include homes in Longwood and Ruffy and damage to key community assets such as a school, a community centre and a telephone exchange.
- A volatile wind change and thousands of lightning strikes have triggered new ignitions, and officials say parts of the Mount Lawson fire may not be contained for weeks.
- More than 90,000 customers are without power, widespread warnings and evacuations are in place, and at least one firefighter has been hospitalised with severe burns.