In Longwood, Victoria, a significant fire is raging on, posing a serious threat to the area. This image, credited to the Little Yarra CFA, depicts the severity of the situation.

“It’s shaping up to be a very bad day,” Cookson remarked to the Australian Associated Press (AAP), reflecting on the daunting task ahead.

Firefighting teams are engaged in a relentless effort to control two major fires that remain out of control. The fire in Longwood has already devastated over 28,000 hectares, while another blaze near the Victoria/New South Wales border, close to Walwa and Mount Lawson, has scorched more than 9,000 hectares.

Paramedics and first responders in catastrophic fire danger areas will be withdrawn on Friday and will only be redeployed to these zones for serious or life-threatening illnesses, Ambulance Victoria said.