Tim Wiebusch, the Emergency Management Commissioner, reported that numerous structures have either been demolished or severely impaired due to last week’s fires. The blazes ravaged over 410,000 hectares, prompting the declaration of a state of disaster.

“Out of those, 228 homes have been completely destroyed,” Wiebusch revealed during a press briefing today.

“Additionally, 15 homes have suffered damage, and there are more than 450 outbuildings impacted,” he added.

The Longwood fire was responsible for the destruction of 142 homes, while the Harcourt fire resulted in the loss of 54 homes. The Walwa fire caused nine homes to be lost.

Authorities are currently investigating the origins of the major fires in Victoria, including the Ravenswood South and Walwa incidents. Meanwhile, detectives specializing in arson and explosives are examining the Longwood fire, which tragically resulted in a fatality.

“As a consequence of the extreme weather events last week Victoria experienced a large number of fires, some of which are still burning,” the spokesperson said. 

“At this time, the overwhelming majority of fires are believed to be as a result of natural causes.”

The emergency bushfires of last week have eased, and now only 12 watch and act warnings remain in place for blazes around the state.

But County Fire Authority chief Jason Heffernan warned residents there could be similar devastating scenes in the coming weeks.

”My message to Victorians today is our peak fire danger is in February. Please don’t think that this event is it,” he said at a press conference today.

“There is every chance that we could see weather patterns come in the next couple of weeks.

“It could see a return of very hot conditions, very strong northerly winds, and again threaten more communities across Victoria.”

The state and federal governments have today announced almost $82 million to restore and repair roads and public transport damaged in the fires, including barriers, signage and guardrails and cleaning up trees and debris.

Other state and federal support measures have exceeded $100 million.

“It’s so important that we continue to stand with Harcourt and other fire-affected communities and support them on the long recovery journey ahead,” Premier Jacinta Allan said.