Victoria wildfires burn nearly 900,000 acres

Wildfires in Victoria have burned nearly 900,000 acres and killed at least one person, with dozens of homes destroyed and more than 30 fires reported across the state.

Wildfires have burned nearly 900,000 acres in the Australian state of Victoria and have killed at least one person, authorities said. The blazes began last week amid a searing heat wave and were reported to have been started largely by lightning strikes. Over 30 fires were active across the state, including large blazes near Longwood and in Great Otway National Park. Temperatures eased after the weekend, allowing firefighters to begin reining in some fires, though conditions remained warm and windy and a total fire ban stayed in place. Key facts: - Nearly 900,000 acres have burned across Victoria, authorities reported. - At least one person was killed; remains were found in the area around the Longwood fire. - Hundreds of structures were destroyed, including dozens of homes; the Longwood fire destroyed about 150 structures and Harcourt lost 47 homes and three businesses. - More than 30 wildfires were burning across the state and a total fire ban remained in effect. - Three firefighters were reported injured while fighting the blazes. Summary: The fires have caused extensive property loss and at least one death. Some containment progress was reported in places such as Harcourt, but warm and windy conditions continued across parts of the state. Undetermined at this time.