Daily London
Allan told Today there were 12 active bushfires in Victoria this morning, but as of 8am AEDT, emergency warnings were in place only for two of them.
A take shelter warning for Berringama, Bullioh, Koetong, Lucyvale, Shelley, Tallangatta Valley, and surrounds, and a leave immediately warning for Bungil, Burrowye, Granya, and surrounds, both relate to the blaze at Walwa in the state’s north-east.
And overnight, another take shelter warning was issued for Irrewillipe, for an out-of-control fire burning at Carlisle River, south-west of Melbourne.
As emergency services were able to access the site of the Longwood fire, which has been downgraded to a watch-and-act level, they discovered an unidentified person’s body, about 100 metres from a vehicle on Yarck Road, Gobur.
“It is incredibly devastating lose a loss of life in such difficult and tragic circumstances,” Allan said this morning.
She said it was a “really tragic reminder” of how dangerous bushfire conditions were, and urged people to stay up to date with warnings and alerts.
Allan also said the state government was urgently working on providing support to families who had lost their homes, including some volunteer firefighters.
Another priority is emergency fodder for livestock where grazing pasture has been destroyed.
So far, more than 350,000 hectares have been burned, including more than 300 structures, and prime agricultural land.
Authorities say by the end of today they expect to contain the Mount Mercer, Natimuk, and Streatham fires.
But some of the blazes are expected to burn for weeks, as authorities warn people only to return to their communities when given an explicit all-clear.
Even then, rapidly changing conditions could see new dangers present themselves.
Police are also on guard against potential looters and tourists who are travelling to fire-ravaged districts just to have a look.
The statewide total fire ban has been rescinded for today, but total fire bans remain in place for the North East and North Central districts.
Fire danger ratings remain high across most of the state, with the exception of the West and South Gippsland, Central, and East Gippsland districts, which have a moderate danger rating.
