At least one person has died and around 300 properties have been destroyed as severe bushfires burn across south-east Australia.

The worst impacts are in Victoria, where a state of emergency has been declared and more than 350,000 hectares have burned amid extreme heat, dry conditions, and strong winds.

Thousands of firefighters and dozens of aircraft are battling about 30 active fires, many still threatening homes and communities.

Authorities warn the blazes could continue for weeks, with smoke affecting air quality, including in Melbourne, the BBC has reported.

Officials say these are the most severe fires in the region since the devastating 2019–2020 bushfire season.