A man in his 60s was found dead in his car near Harcourt, Victoria, amid the ongoing bushfire crisis. Premier Jacinta Allan confirmed the incident, stating that the death, although near a fire ground, was not directly linked to the fires. Meanwhile, three missing individuals near Longwood have been located safely after their home was destroyed by severe fires.
Local fire authorities reported three firefighters injured during firefighting efforts. As of Saturday morning, Victoria was battling 10 major fires with an additional 20 under close monitoring. The state has witnessed over 300,000 hectares of land burnt, leaving 38,000 properties without power due to the extreme temperatures exceeding 40 degrees Celsius.
Despite a temperature drop, authorities cautioned about strong winds fueling unpredictable fire spread. Emergency management officials disclosed that at least 120 structures have been destroyed in Victoria, with significant losses in livestock. The state government has declared a state of disaster in 19 areas, granting authorities powers to manage the crisis effectively.
