Victoria on High Alert: Catastrophic Fire Risk and Brutal Heatwave Grips Southeast
MELBOURNE, Jan 9, 2026
Victoria is facing its most dangerous day of fire weather since the 2019-20 Black Summer as a “perfect storm” of record-breaking heat, high winds, and dry lightning descends on the state.
Authorities have declared Catastrophic Fire Danger—the highest possible alert level—for the Wimmera, Mallee, Northern Country, and North Central districts. A statewide Total Fire Ban is in effect as temperatures in regional areas are expected to soar to 46°C, while Melbourne braces for a peak of 41°C.
Current Emergency Situations
Firefighters are currently battling two major out-of-control blazes that have already caused significant damage:
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The Longwood Fire: Burning in the state’s north-central region, this fire has already razed over 28,000 hectares. Communities including Strathbogie, Merton, and Alexandra are on high alert for erratic fire behavior.
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The Mount Lawson Fire: Located near the Victoria-NSW border, this blaze has consumed more than 9,000 hectares. Emergency warnings are in place for towns such as Walwa, Granya, and Burrowye, with residents urged to leave immediately.
Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch warned that under catastrophic conditions, fires become “unpredictable and uncontrollable,” stating that even well-prepared homes may not be defensible.
