Nov 17, (V7N) - Bushfires are raging across Victoria, Australia, with 80 fires reported on Saturday due to strong winds and high temperatures. Firefighters are tackling the blazes, but authorities have labeled two fires in the western and southern regions as the most challenging, with over 1,900 hectares burned. At least one home has been destroyed, and further property losses are feared as hundreds of residents, including 10 hikers, have been evacuated. No fatalities have been reported so far.

Victorian emergency management commissioner Rick Nugent confirmed stock and agricultural losses in affected areas, with teams continuing to assess the damage. Authorities have advised evacuees not to return until conditions stabilize. Strong winds expected on Sunday afternoon could exacerbate the fires, although a cold front is anticipated to bring some relief later.

The crisis highlights Australia's ongoing vulnerability to bushfires, particularly following the catastrophic 2019-2020 "Black Summer", which devastated the eastern seaboard, destroyed forests, killed millions of animals, and blanketed cities in smoke. This year's heightened fire risk comes after several wet seasons, leaving vegetation primed to burn under extreme heat.

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A 2020 Oxford University study revealed that the risk of intense fire weather in Australia has risen by 30% since 1900, primarily due to climate change. The current situation underscores the growing challenges posed by a warming planet and the urgent need for mitigation and adaptation measures.

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