Australian PM visits bushfire-ravaged towns as 300 structures are reported destroyed

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited Victorian towns hit by bushfires, while authorities reported about 300 structures destroyed and roughly 350,000 hectares burned; a state of disaster remains in place.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visited towns in Victoria on Sunday after widespread bushfires followed an intense heatwave. Authorities declared a state of disaster across much of Victoria and said the blazes have burned roughly 350,000 hectares. Emergency services reported about 300 structures destroyed, including more than 80 homes, and said no lives had been lost to date. Thousands of firefighters and emergency workers remain engaged and multiple emergency warnings are active. Confirmed situation: - Officials reported about 300 structures destroyed and roughly 350,000 hectares burned. - A state of disaster is in place across much of Victoria, with around 15 emergency warnings active. - Authorities said no fatalities have been recorded so far and that many areas remain too dangerous for full assessments. - The prime minister announced joint disaster recovery funding of A$20 million and relief centres are open across the state. Summary: The fires have produced substantial property losses, widespread disruption and degraded air and water conditions in some towns. Authorities are continuing firefighting and beginning damage assessments, and the government has announced recovery funding; forecasts indicate little significant rain until later in the week.