Overview
- Premier Jacinta Allan declared a state of disaster across 18 local government areas, enabling forced evacuations under a statewide total fire ban.
- Authorities report more than 50 active bushfires, including 10 major blazes, after the state posted a 'catastrophic' fire danger rating on Friday.
- The Longwood fire has scorched about 130,000 hectares, with early assessments indicating at least 20 houses lost in Ruffy and more than 130 structures destroyed statewide.
- Victoria Police say two adults and a child remain unaccounted for in Longwood after a house was found destroyed, while a separate death near Harcourt is being investigated and is not believed to be directly fire-related.
- Tens of thousands are without power as heat and shifting winds drive erratic fire behavior, and the Australian Defence Force has been requested to support large firefighting deployments and operations.