Three Missing as Bushfires Destroy Homes and Push Victoria Into Catastrophic Danger

Police are searching for two adults and a child who remain unaccounted for amid bushfires burning across Victoria, as authorities warn of catastrophic fire conditions fuelled by extreme heat and damaging winds.

Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said the trio were last seen at a property in Longwood East, where fire crews had earlier advised them it was too late to evacuate and that they should shelter in place.

Later that afternoon, fire service personnel returned to the area and found the house completely destroyed.

"At this stage, those three people are unaccounted for," Deputy Commissioner Hill said, stressing police were not presuming fatalities. "I'm not suggesting for one moment that we've seen three people perish. They are simply unaccounted for."

Police have been conducting door-knocks in high-risk areas, including popular camping regions such as the Murray River, the Otways and Wilsons Promontory, urging people to leave while it is still safe.

Fire authorities said strong winds were severely limiting aerial firefighting operations.
Country Fire Authority Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said periods of dangerous conditions would ground much of the state's aviation fleet.

"There will be times when our fleet of more than 70 aircraft will not be able to fly," he said.

Several homes have been destroyed by the Longwood fire near Ruffy, although the full extent of damage is still being assessed due to unsafe conditions on the ground. No homes have yet been lost in the Walwa fire, though a pine plantation has suffered significant damage.

Authorities confirmed around 40 fires are burning across Victoria, with approximately 30 still active.

Country Fire Authority Chief Fire Officer Jason Heffernan warned that temperatures were forecast to reach up to 46 degrees Celsius in northern Victoria, with Melbourne and southern regions expected to hit 43 degrees.

"It's the hot, north-westerly and potentially damaging winds that have lifted fire danger to catastrophic across many districts," he said.

The Bureau of Meteorology said very hot and dry conditions, combined with gusty winds, would persist through the day, with a cooler wind change expected later in the afternoon. Isolated thunderstorms may bring little rain but pose a risk of dry lightning and damaging gusts.

VicEmergency has issued multiple shelter-in-place warnings for communities threatened by the Longwood fire, urging residents to remain indoors if it is no longer safe to leave.

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, speaking from Canberra, said Australians' thoughts were with those affected by bushfires in Victoria and flooding in northern Queensland.

"These are extremely difficult conditions," he said. "People must listen to emergency advice. If you're asked to leave your property, please do so."

Meanwhile, fires sparked by dry lightning continue to burn in Gippsland and alpine regions. Forest Fire Management Victoria spokesperson Chris Hardman said the Walwa fire had grown to just under 20,000 hectares and was expected to continue expanding.

Emergency services have relocated paramedics and first responders from some high-risk areas due to safety concerns, with crews only to be redeployed in life-threatening situations following detailed risk assessments, according to Ambulance Victoria.