As per reports, the following are the latest updates regarding ongoing bushfire incidents across parts of Victoria as of Friday (09 January), amid catastrophic and extreme fire danger conditions statewide.
• Multiple Emergency Warnings have been issued for communities across Strathbogie Shire and surrounding areas, linked primarily to the Longwood bushfire, which remains not under control. The fire is travelling generally in an easterly to south-easterly direction, with conditions described as dynamic and unpredictable. Authorities have warned that the fire is threatening homes and lives, and in several locations it is too late to leave safely, with residents instructed to take shelter immediately.
• Leave Immediately warnings are in effect for a wide range of localities including Ancona, Merton, Strathbogie, Strathbogie South, Woodfield, Cathkin, Ghin Ghin, Highlands, Yarck, Caveat, Kanumbra, Killingworth, Koriella, Limestone, Molesworth and Whanregarwen, as the Longwood fire is expected to continue extending towards Strathbogie State Forest, Merton and Lake Eildon.
• A separate uncontrolled bushfire in Mt Lawson State Park, approximately 25 kilometres west of Walwa, has triggered Emergency Warnings for Bungil, Walwa, Cudgewa, Koetong, Colac Colac, Nariel Valley and surrounding areas. The fire is burning in a south to south-easterly direction, with properties within the warning areas assessed as potentially impacted.
• Emergency Relief Centres are operational at the Seymour Sports and Aquatics Centre, Mansfield Youth Centre, Upper Murray Event Centre (Corryong Football Oval) and Tallangatta Memorial Hall, supporting displaced residents from affected communities.
• Significant structural losses in the Strathbogie Ranges, including the destruction of a school in Ruffy have been reported, with emergency authorities cautioning that further property losses are expected as assessments continue. Additionally, three separate bushfires in the Wonnangatta area near the Alpine National Park are burning out of control, including two near Van Dammes Track and one near Selwyn Track.
• A Total Fire Ban is in force across all of Victoria, with the Wimmera, South West, Northern Country and North Central fire districts experiencing catastrophic fire danger ratings. Authorities have urged people to leave bushfire-prone areas, warning that if fires start and take hold, loss of life is likely.
• Weather forecasts indicate a cool change expected later in the evening, with officials cautioning that wind shifts associated with the change may worsen fire behaviour and complicate firefighting operations.
• Ambulance Victoria has declared a “red escalation”, advising that some paramedics have been relocated for safety reasons and that emergency medical responses may not be possible in certain fire-affected areas.
• Transport disruptions are extensive, with multiple road closures in place, including sections of the Hume Freeway, Maroondah Highway, and Murray Valley Highway, some restricted to emergency vehicles or local traffic only. Authorities have urged the public not to travel unless absolutely necessary.
• V/Line has cancelled all train services on the Albury, Ararat, Bendigo, Echuca, Maryborough, Seymour, Shepparton, Swan Hill and Warrnambool lines for the day, with no replacement bus services. Several regional coach services, including those passing through catastrophic fire districts, have also been suspended, while extreme heat timetables are in effect on the Ballarat and Geelong lines.
