Overview
- Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said 228 homes are confirmed destroyed and 15 damaged, with some higher tallies reported by media still being reconciled.
- Warnings have reduced but multiple fires remain active, with 10 watch-and-act and 19 advice messages in place as authorities conduct controlled burns that may increase visible smoke.
- Premier Jacinta Allan announced support including $2,380 per week for up to three weeks for residents without power for more than seven days, primary-producer grants up to $75,000, and concessional loans up to $250,000.
- Federal Emergency Management Minister Kristy McBain said eligible sole traders in 18 local government areas and one alpine resort region can access up to 13 weeks of income support via Services Australia.
- CFA chief Jason Heffernan said volunteers are hurting and stressed that fires in catastrophic conditions are nearly impossible to stop once established, as debate continues over vegetation management and equipment resourcing.