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‘There’s Barely a Blade of Grass’: A Family-Owned Winery Gone Within an Hour
Three people remain unaccounted for after fast-moving Longwood fire destroyed homes in Ruffy, with 92 New South Wales Rural Fire Service personnel assisting Victoria firefighters.
- On January 9, 2026 the Longwood fire destroyed multiple properties in Ruffy, Victoria, while a man, a woman and a child remain unaccounted for after a house burned in Longwood East.
- As the Bureau of Meteorology warned of extreme heat and winds, fire potential was declared catastrophic across four regions while about 40 fires burned statewide.
- Amid the town's widespread damage, Winemaker Matt Fowles reported 300 acres of vines and 1,500 acres of grazing destroyed with a 100 per cent crop failure.
- Authorities declared a statewide total fire ban until 11.59pm tonight, with Ambulance Victoria saying `Crews will only be redeployed into these zones in the case of serious or life-threatening illness and only after a thorough risk assessment to consider the safety of our people`.
- Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan activated personal hardship payments, urged residents to follow authorities, and officials released maps showing worst-case fire spread as dozens of towns remain threatened.
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Sydney Morning HeraldReposted by 
Brisbane Times
Brisbane Times‘There’s barely a blade of grass’: A family-owned winery gone within an hour
The Longwood fire hit Matt Fowles’ family-owned winery outside on Thursday morning and just 45 minutes later, it had left a moonscape of scorched vines, razed homes and dead sheep.
·Sydney, Australia
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources11
Leaning Left6Leaning Right2Center1Last UpdatedBias Distribution67% Left
Bias Distribution
- 67% of the sources lean Left
67% Left
L 67%
11%
R 22%
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