Authorities have confirmed that a trailer throwing off embers ignited the devastating Longwood bushfire in central Victoria, a blaze that has claimed the life of a local farmer and torn through several country towns.
Perfect Storm of Conditions Fuels Crisis
The fire took hold under a perfect storm of scorching 40‑plus degree temperatures, bone‑dry conditions and strong winds. This dangerous combination allowed the fire to spread rapidly, impacting communities including Longwood, Ruffy, Yarck, and Alexandra. Longwood is situated approximately one hour and 40 minutes' drive north of Melbourne's CBD.
A Watch and Act alert remains active for the Longwood fire, which is still not under control. CFA crews are working around the clock to extinguish hotspots and prevent the fire from flaring up again.
Community Reels as Farmer Identified
The human cost of the disaster became clear on Monday when local cattle farmer Maxwell Hobson was identified as the person tragically killed. It is understood Hobson had stayed behind to defend his property in Terip Terip, where he bred and sold cattle, before flames swept through the area.
His remains were discovered about 100 metres from a burnt-out ute found on the side of Yarck Road at Gobur on Sunday. Maxwell and his wife Julie ran Aintree Farm Herefords on a 101-hectare property.
In the hard-hit town of Yarck, the local pub has become an informal refuge where residents are gathering to support one another and come to terms with the scale of destruction and lost homes. "He was always very nice to me. Hearing that he's passed is not good. It doesn't feel good at all," one local resident said of Mr Hobson.
Statewide Fire Situation Remains Volatile
While the Longwood fire continues to burn, the situation across Victoria remains mixed. Further south, the Otway fire has been downgraded to a Watch and Act level, offering some relief to residents in that region.
However, in the state's north, the Walwa bushfire continues to rage and remains out of control, posing an ongoing threat. The contrasting situations highlight the challenging and dynamic conditions facing emergency services across multiple fronts.
