Bushfires threaten rural towns in Australian heatwave

Bushfires in Victoria have destroyed homes and burned large areas as a heatwave pushed temperatures above 40C; authorities urged evacuations and reported ongoing firefighting efforts.

Bushfires burned through large tracts of forest and destroyed homes in southeast Australia as a heatwave pushed temperatures above 40C. Officials reported multiple fires across the state of Victoria and urged people in small rural communities to evacuate. Strong winds affected firefighting operations and temporarily grounded aircraft. Authorities reported missing people in one fire area and said there were no confirmed deaths so far. Key facts: - Authorities said dozens of rural homes have been destroyed and large areas of bushland burned, including some 28,000 hectares near Longwood. - Officials urged evacuations for many small towns in Victoria and reported three people missing, including a child, inside one major fire ground. - Fire crews from across Australia were mobilized, but powerful wind gusts temporarily grounded firefighting aircraft and made conditions volatile. - Authorities reported no confirmed fatalities so far. Summary: The fires have caused property loss and widespread bushland damage amid an extreme heatwave and remain an active emergency for responders. Undetermined at this time.