A resident in the bushfire-affected town of Ruffy works on...

VICTORIA, AUSTRALIA - 2026/01/10: A resident in the bushfire-affected town of Ruffy works on restoring power to their public hall, one day after flames tore through the area leaving little standing. On January 10, 2026, Victoria faced its most catastrophic bushfire conditions since Black Summer, with over 30 blazes scorching 350,000 hectares and destroying more than 300 structures. The Country Fire Authority (CFA) led a massive response, deploying thousands of firefighters to battle major fronts in Longwood, Mount Lawson, and the Great Otway Ranges while conducting hazardous "black-out" operations to contain hot spots. To support the exhausted ground crews, the Victorian government declared a State of Disaster, enabling the CFA and emergency services to enforce mandatory evacuations and coordinate an international appeal for aerial firefighting assistance. (Photo by Jay Kogler/SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty Images)