Bushfires claim 31 homes, 17 fires continue to burn

The bushfires which raged through the Bunyip State Park last week destroyed 29 homes and 67 sheds, while a bushfire at Yinnar claimed two properties. Seventeen fires are yet to be brought under control.

Twenty-nine homes and 67 sheds were razed in the bushfires which tore through Bunyip State Park.

A further two homes were damaged in the blaze, while a bushfire at Yinnar claimed two properties.

The State Control Centre said the figures from the fires, which broke out on February 28, were upgraded after emergency services were able to gain access to cut-off areas.

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It comes as the Victorian Government on Friday announced disaster assistance for those seriously affected.

Communities in the Baw Baw, Cardinia, Latrobe, South Gippsland and Wellington areas, where the fires hit hardest, will be able to access the assistance through a joint state and federal recovery fund.

Bunyip State Park fire: Devastating scenes this morning. Multiple properties have been lost. Picture: Nine News Melbourne @9NewsMelb

Minister for Police and Emergency Services Lisa ­Neville said a number of communities in the state’s east were in need of desperate ­assistance.

“We know that being ­displaced after emergencies is incredibly difficult. Recovery support is available for people experiencing personal hardship to help with their immediate emergency needs and ­re-establishment,” Ms Neville said.

“If you have been affected and need assistance, please reach out to the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services and your local council to find out what help is available.”

Bushfires continue to burn across the southeast of the state. with a watch and act warning still in place for residents at Tonimbuk, Beenak, Gentle Annie and Tynong North.

A firefighter in front of a bushfire in Tynong North. Picture: Alex Coppel

Seventeen fires are yet to be brought under control.

Four major blazes were sparked last Thursday after lightning strikes at Bunyip State Park, Dargo, Licola and Yinnar South.

The State Control Centre confirmed the losses, stating a total of 447 properties had been evaluated by a special assessment team.

For the most up-to-date bushfire info go to mergency.vic.gov.au/respond

Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said it was a “mammoth effort” for emergency services with more than 100,000 hectares burnt.

“A significant number of resources remain committed to tackling fires across the state, including around 2000 firefighters and 61 aircraft,” he said.

“While a mammoth effort has gone into fighting these fires, there’s a lot of work to be done to get the Bunyip and other fires under control, and there is still a lot of smoke in the area,” he said.

Twenty-nine homes and 67 sheds were razed in the bushfires which tore through Bunyip State Park. Picture: Nine News Melbourne

Funds of up to $540 per adult and $270 per child (a maximum of $1,890 per eligible household) have been made available for locals with immediate needs, including emergency food, shelter, clothing, and personal items.

Further grants of up to $40,700 have also been announced for households whose primary residence has been affected by the fires to aid with clean-up, emergency accommodation, repairs and rebuilding.

The Bunyip bushfire has been declared a catastrophe by the Insurance Council of Australia.

The council’s head of communications, Campbell Fuller, said the declaration meant policy holders would be given priority by insurers if their properties had been damaged or destroyed in the fire.

“It will take many weeks for the extent of the losses to be known, but the Insurance Council is working closely with the Premier’s office and with Victoria’s emergency services to identify issues and help manage community concerns,” he said.

It is the second declared catastrophe in Australia this year, the first being the Townsville floods which led to insurance losses of more than $893 million.

The council has also activated a disaster hotline to assist policy holders who have general inquiries about claims, Mr Fuller said.

The number for the hotline is 1800734621.

For more information on the bushfires, go to emergency.vic.gov.au/relief