Khaberni - Thousands of firefighters continued their intense efforts in the Australian state of Victoria on Saturday to control the wildfires that destroyed homes, cut off electricity to tens of thousands, and burned vast areas of forest.
The authorities stated this morning that the wildfires, which mostly ignited mid-week amid a severe heatwave in southeastern Australia, have consumed more than 741,000 hectares of forest, adding that 10 major fires are still burning across the state.
The authorities added that over 130 buildings, including homes, have been destroyed and electricity has been cut off to about 38,000 homes and companies due to the fires.
The authorities described the fires as the worst to sweep through the state since the Black Summer fires that erupted from 2019 to 2020 and destroyed an area the size of Turkey, killing 33 people.
The Premier of Victoria, Jacinta Allan, said that thousands of firefighters are working in the field to contain the fires.
In a press conference televised from Melbourne, the state capital, she stated: "Fires will be controlled wherever possible."
Earlier, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the nation was facing a day of "extreme and dangerous" weather for fires, especially in Victoria, where a large part of the state has been declared a disaster area.
Albanese, in televised remarks from Canberra, said, "My heart is with the Australians in these rural communities during this very difficult time."
The authorities reported that one of the largest fires, near the town of Longwood approximately 112 kilometers north of Melbourne, has burned 320,000 acres of bushland, destroying 30 buildings and vineyards as well as farmland.
Tens of nearby communities evacuated from the fires and a number of parks and campgrounds in the state have been closed.