TOTAL FIRE BAN TODAY: Evacuate Notices Issued as Victoria’s Bushfire Crisis Deepens
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- 21 hours ago
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Victoria is facing its most harrowing fire emergency since the "Black Summer" of 2019-20, as a relentless heatwave and "Catastrophic" fire conditions send rural communities into a desperate fight for survival.
Two major, out-of-control bushfires are currently tearing through the state’s north and north-east, prompting urgent "Leave Now" orders and forcing residents to seek shelter as evacuation routes become death traps.
EVACUATION UPDATES: "Leave Now" orders are active for Bungil, Granya, and Thologolong. If you are in these areas, your life is at risk.
WHAT IS BANNED TODAY? Under a Total Fire Ban, the following are strictly prohibited:
No campfires or bonfires.
No charcoal, wood, or briquette BBQs (Webers/Spits).
No outdoor grinding, welding, or soldering.
No use of chainsaws or mowers in dry grass.
The Frontlines: Walwa and Longwood
The most critical threat remains the Mount Lawson State Park fire, located approximately 25km west of Walwa. The blaze, which has already blackened over 1,000 hectares, shifted its trajectory toward the south yesterday, putting the towns of Bungil, Granya, and Thologolong directly in the firing line. Emergency services have warned that "leaving immediately is the safest option," with properties in these areas expected to be impacted imminently.
Simultaneously, a separate emergency is unfolding in Longwood. The situation there has deteriorated so rapidly that authorities have declared it too late to leave. Residents in Longwood, Ruffy, Tarcombe, and Upton Hill have been instructed to take shelter indoors immediately. "The extreme heat is likely to kill you well before the flames reach you," a harrowing VicEmergency warning stated, urging residents to move to a room with two exits and stay clear of windows.
Resources Stretched Thin
More than 300 firefighters, supported by 12 water-bombing aircraft and 30 bulldozers, are working around the clock to establish containment lines. Chris Hardman from Forest Fire Management Victoria confirmed that while firefighters have slowed the spread in some areas, the combination of thick ground fuel from a wet spring and bone-dry conditions has created a "powder keg" effect.
A State on High Alert
Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch has warned that today, January 9, could be the most dangerous day of the season.
Catastrophic Fire Danger: Forecast for the Wimmera, Northern Country, and North Central districts.
Total Fire Bans: In place for the entire state of Victoria.
Heatwave Crisis: Melbourne recorded 41°C earlier this week—its hottest day in six years—while regional temperatures have soared toward the mid-40s.
What You Need to Do
Authorities are urging all Victorians to stay vigilant and monitor the VicEmergency app or local ABC radio.
If you are told to leave: Go immediately. Do not wait to see smoke or flames.
If you are caught: Do not drive through smoke. Seek a large open area or a solid structure to block radiant heat.
Check on others: Ensure elderly neighbors and those with pets are prepared.
As the wind picks up and the mercury rises, the next 24 hours will be a defining test for Victoria's emergency response and the resilience of its rural heartland.
Stay Updated with emergency.vic.gov.au
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