MELBOURNE, Jan. 11 (Xinhua) -- Victoria Police confirmed on Sunday that human remains have been found in the Longwood bushfire-affected area, marking the first confirmed fatality linked to the current bushfire emergency in the southeastern Australian state.

In an official statement, police said officers were able to access a fire-affected stretch off Yarck Road at Gobur, east of the town of Seymour -- about 100 km northeast of Melbourne -- and located the remains about 100 meters from a vehicle. The person has not yet been formally identified, and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

Widespread bushfires, which started burning on Wednesday, have been raging across Victoria amid extreme heat and dry conditions, forcing evacuations and damaging properties in several regions. Emergency warnings remain in place.

Authorities have urged residents in fire-threatened areas to stay alert, follow evacuation advice, and avoid firegrounds as firefighting operations continue. ■