Support package for Victoria bushfire victims as blazes burn

3:55pm
Fire-damaged property is seen on January 10, 2026 near Longwood, Australia.

Fire-ravaged Victorians will have access to support payments and emergency accommodation under a $19.5 million (NZ$22.8 million) package, as more than 30 blazes continue to scorch the state.

Premier Jacinta Allan and Anthony Albanese made the joint announcement in Bendigo on Sunday.

"My message to Victorians is pretty simple, we've got your back," the prime minister said.

"Not just during this crisis, but through the recovery as well."

Under the package, a $10 million (NZ$11.6 million) program to help distribute fodder to farmers in need will be available.

Communities most impacted by the bushfires will be able to claim a one-off disaster recovery payment of $1000 (NZ$1170) for each adult and $400 (NZ$468) per child.

From Wednesday, residents in Barkers Creek, Harcourt, Harcourt North, Longwood, Longwood East, Natimuk, Ravenswood South, Ruffy and Sutton Grange will be eligible.

More than 350,000 hectares of land has been burnt so far.

"We are not through the worst of this, by a long way," Allan said.

There are 32 active fires across the state, with 10 major fire grounds.

Victorian Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch said more than 300 structures had been lost.

"In good news, we are starting to get on top of some of these fires," he said.

Wiebusch said "disappointingly" spectators had been heading into some of the areas devastated by fire.

"We only expect to see locals if it is safe to be in there at all, so please do not enter those fire impacted zones," he said.

Among those devastated by the fires is a family and their beloved cat who were rescued by a police helicopter as their regional Victorian home was destroyed by fire.

The trio, two women and a 92-year-old man, bunkered down on their remote Caveat property, seeking safety in a shipping container on their land as fire swept through the area.

The family slept in their car on Friday night.

With no road access, police used a helicopter on Saturday morning to transport the group and their cat Grisha to Seymour.

One of the women, an 82-year-old, had her hair singed by the flames and was treated for burns to her hands.

Victoria Police Air Wing Tactical Flight Officer Brittany Smith described the destruction from the air as heartbreaking.

"By no means do we encourage people to shelter in shipping containers however on this occasion all I can say is this family is extremely lucky," she said.

"It was good we were able to get in and get them out. We were glad we could provide assistance when they needed us."

A state of emergency has been declared for 18 local government areas.

Several emergency level blazes were dotted across the state but firefighting efforts were concentrated on a huge blaze in Victoria's centre and another in the northeast, near the NSW border.

A blaze that ripped through Harcourt, northeast of Castlemaine in the Central Highlands, claimed at least 50 structures, including homes and businesses.

Bonnie and Remy Sowman were speechless as they looked upon the blackened ruins of their cafe, which held a special place in the Harcourt community.

The couple left their home and business on Friday when the conditions began to change.

Sowman described the day as a blur.

"We had a friend who posted some footage and it was bad along where we live. Most of the night we thought our house was gone," she told AAP.

The danger is not over despite the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting milder weather on Sunday, with winds easing but changing direction.

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