Satellite images reveal scale of Victoria’s destructive bushfires

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New imagery compiled from an orbiting weather satellite shows how fast and far the fires spread across the state. The visuals were created by stitching together hundreds of satellite images taken over several days.

Since extreme heat and strong winds triggered catastrophic conditions, more than 400,000 hectares have been burnt. Hundreds of buildings have been destroyed and one man has lost his life.

At the height of the emergency, multiple major fires were burning at once. Data from Victorian fire agencies shows more than 100 separate burn areas recorded since January 5.

Some of the worst-hit zones, including the Longwood and Walwa fires, each cover more than 100,000 hectares. Others are much smaller, burning less than a hectare.

Fire scientist Professor David Bowman from the University of Tasmania says the pattern differs from the 2019–20 Black Summer fires. This time, the damage is being driven largely by grass and rural land, rather than dry forest.

After several wetter years, grass fuel loads were high. Combined with strong winds, this allowed fires to race across open landscapes.

Satellite views of the Longwood fire show long, narrow burn paths. Experts say this is a clear sign of wind-driven fires spreading quickly before merging at the edges.

The images were captured by Japan’s Himawari weather satellite, which takes pictures every 10 minutes. Together, they offer a rare, statewide look at how the emergency unfolded.

More updates to come on AusNewsLanka.