Power cut for tens of thousands; Australia pledges $13 million for bushfire victims

More than 300 structures have been destroyed in the ongoing bushfire crisis in the southeastern Australian state of Victoria, authorities said on Sunday, as new support measures for affected communities were announced.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and the Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, on Sunday announced a 19.5 million Australian dollar (US$13 million) emergency funding package to provide immediate support to communities across the state affected by the fires.

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The funding includes 10 million Australian dollars to supply fodder to farmers who have been affected by significant livestock losses, 1.5 million Australian dollars in emergency accommodation support for thousands of people who have been ordered to evacuate their homes and one million Australian dollars for mental health support.

Speaking at a press conference alongside Allan and emergency services personnel in the central Victorian city of Bendigo, Albanese said on Sunday that the federal government would support Victorians through the crisis and the recovery period.

"We've got your back," he said. "We'll work cooperatively with the state government to make sure we deliver what is necessary so that people and communities can get back on their feet after what has been a very difficult period."

Earlier on Saturday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the nation faced a day of "extreme and dangerous" fire weather, especially in Victoria, where much of the state has been declared a disaster zone.

As of Sunday morning, 32 bushfires were burning across Victoria, with 15 warnings in place advising residents to evacuate. Allan stressed that complying with evacuation orders was the best way to protect lives.

Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch confirmed that more than 300 structures had been destroyed statewide.

Homes have been destroyed, and around 38,000 residences and businesses were without power due to the fires, the authorities said.

They said the fires were the worst to hit the state since the Black Summer blazes of 2019-2020 that destroyed an area the size of Turkey and killed 33 people.

The Longwood blaze was one of three bushfires remaining at emergency level on Sunday, alongside fires in western Victoria and the state’s far northeast.

While temperatures were forecast to fall, authorities warned that strong winds would continue to pose a serious threat, keeping firefighting conditions difficult.

Inputs from Reuters