The devastating fire engulfing the Longwood region has already consumed over 48,000 hectares, impacting the communities of Ruffy, Tarcombe, Caveat, and Dropmore. This inferno has brought about the most perilous conditions in the state since the notorious Black Summer fires.
In the small community of Ruffy, located south of the wildfire, at least ten residences have succumbed to the flames.
“It resembles the aftermath of an atomic explosion,” remarked CFA Captain George Noye during an interview with ABC this morning.
“We’ve lost significant landmarks, including the old school and the historic Ruffy produce store, as well as three homes on the main street,” he continued.
“Numerous homes throughout the area have been destroyed. I personally know of ten firefighters who have lost their homes,” Noye added.
Speaking to 9News later today, Noye explained that the blaze has decimated homes, structures, and livestock in its path.
“There’s not much left. It’s just ash. If we go away to a lot of fires, and we see this happen with communities… It’s devastating,” he said, becoming visibly emotional.
Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Robert Hill said firefighters had come across a man, woman and child near a home and advised them to take shelter because it was too late to evacuate.
Those firefighters later went back to the home and saw it had been destroyed by the fire.
“Those three people remain unaccounted for. Where that house has been destroyed is still a hot spot, and we are yet to be able to put the strike team from the fire services into that area to conduct an assessment for us,” Hill said.
The Longwood fire has been described as “incredibly dynamic” with emergency services warning it is spreading in multiple directions.
Residents in the impact zone have been told it is too late to leave and shelter now, while others in potential impact areas are urged to evacuate now.
Victoria is experiencing extreme fire conditions due to the peaking heatwave and strong, dry winds.
There are currently seven emergency bushfires burning across the state in Longwood, Walwa, Streatham, Natimuk, Harcourt and Ravenswood, Muckatah and Bamganie.
Temperatures reached 46.7 degrees in Walpeup and 42.9 degrees in Melbourne.
A total fire ban is in place for all of Victoria today.
