Three people, including a child, are missing after bushfires tore through parts of Victoria under “catastrophic” conditions, destroying homes and forcing emergency warnings across south-eastern Australia.
Around 40 fires were burning across Victoria, driven by a severe heatwave and damaging winds, as temperatures reached 46C.
Several properties have been destroyed, and police said a man, woman and child remain unaccounted for after a house burned down in Longwood East. Over 90,000 homes were without power.
Fire officials warned the situation could worsen, with dozens of towns under threat. Victoria and South Australia were placed on high alert, with total fire bans declared and large areas given “catastrophic” or “extreme” fire danger ratings – the most severe warning level.
Describing the damage from Longwood fire, Country Fire Authority captain George Noye told ABC Radio:“The town’s been impacted severely. The main street looks like a bomb’s gone off.”
Authorities urged residents in fire-prone areas to leave immediately, warning that staying could cost lives.
Key Points
- Three people, including a child, unaccounted for as bushfire tears through Victoria
- Mapped: Multiple fires triggering emergency warnings across Victoria
- At least 10 homes destroyed as Longwood bushfire leaves streets ‘like a bomb’s gone off’
- Total fire ban declared across Victoria for Saturday
- Power outages increase to over 90,000 across Victoria
Photo: The Walwa fire, seen from the frontline
11:15 , Stuti MishraFirefighters continue to battle a large bushfire near Walwa, where a blaze burning in Mount Lawson State Park has expanded rapidly over recent days.
Nearly 300 firefighters are working to contain the fire, which began on Monday and grew significantly on Thursday amid extreme heat and deteriorating conditions.
Authorities say the fire has now burnt through more than 17,000 hectares, with crews focused on containment lines as conditions remain volatile.
Photos released on Friday by Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action show crews working close to the fire edge as smoke and flames continue to dominate the landscape.
Immediate financial relief announced for bushfire-affected residents
10:50 , Stuti MishraThe Victorian government has announced immediate financial assistance for people affected by the bushfires, with payments now available across four local government areas.
“All adults will be eligible for $680 and children for $340, up to a maximum of $2,380 per eligible family,” the premier said.
She described the payments as “immediate assistance”, adding that support is also available for meals, as well as financial and personal counselling.
Ms Allan said the relief could be extended if conditions worsen.
“She said the assistance would be extended to other local government areas should we see further very difficult conditions that result in damage and loss.”
She also urged residents to remain alert and follow official advice.
“The message today needs to continue to be to all Victorians to please listen to local radio, stay connected to the VicEmergency app and take the advice,” she said.
No update on three people still missing, premier says
10:30 , Stuti MishraVictoria’s premier Jacinta Allan said there has been no update on the three people still missing, acknowledging the distress this is causing in affected communities.
“There’s no further information at this stage from Victoria Police and I absolutely understand the people being very keen to know what the situation is for those three people who at this stage remain unaccounted for,” Ms Allan told ABC Radio.
She said the uncertainty was weighing heavily on families and communities already dealing with fires.
“It’s just such a difficult day and to have people unaccounted for makes it even tougher,” she said.
Ms Allan urged anyone with information to come forward and contact Victoria Police.
Photos: Bushfires leave behind charred homes
10:11 , Stuti Mishra
-members-douse-a-home-in-Longwood-VIC-bdhf14ep.jpeg)
PM urges Australians to ‘prepare for the worst’ amid bushfire risk
09:45 , Stuti MishraPrime minister Anthony Albanese spoke with officials in Canberra this morning, urging residents to “prepare for the worst” amid the heatwave.
"These are difficult times and we are confronting some extreme weather conditions in different parts of Australia," he said.
"I’d say this is an opportunity for me to emphasise that people need to listen to the advice as it comes through. If you’re asked to leave your property, please do so. If you have advice obviously always never, ever risk driving through flood waters."
"We hope for the best but we prepare for the worst."
Extreme heat and bushfires escalate across Victoria: What we know so far
09:15 , Stuti MishraHere is a snapshot of what has unfolded across Victoria today as extreme heat and dangerous fire conditions intensified:
- Multiple bushfires were burning across Victoria, with conditions worsening through the afternoon as extreme heat dried vegetation and a forecast wind change raised the risk of rapid, unpredictable fire spread.
- Temperatures climbed into the mid to high 40s, with 46.3C recorded at Hopetoun airport, 44.1C at Avalon, and 43.4C at Melbourne airport, sharply increasing fire danger across already affected areas.
- Residents in several towns were told to leave immediately, including Kinglake, Kinglake Central, Kinglake West, Marysville, Toolangi, Buxton and Flowerdale, as warnings were escalated ahead of an expected wind change later this evening.
- Power outages increased to more than 90,000 homes and businesses, as damaging winds, falling trees and fire impacts disrupted electricity networks across large parts of the state.
- Fire authorities warned that fires already burning, or newly ignited, could be extremely difficult to control, with catastrophic fire danger declared in several regions.
- Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, said Friday was “one of the most dangerous fire days that this state has experienced in years”, as crews worked to contain multiple blazes under extreme conditions.
- A wind change expected around 8pm was flagged as a critical risk period, with authorities warning conditions could quickly become very dangerous and unpredictable.
Power outages increase to over 90,000 across Victoria
08:51 , Stuti MishraThe number of homes and businesses without power across Victoria has risen to more than 90,000 as damaging winds, extreme heat and active bushfires continue to disrupt the electricity network.
AusNet said at least 42,000 properties on its grid remain without power, while Powercor reported around 46,000 customers offline across southern Victoria and parts of Melbourne.
Power companies say restoration efforts are being slowed by strong winds, falling trees, fire activity and safety systems triggered during extreme weather, with conditions varying across the state.
Why today’s heat makes fires harder to control
08:25 , Stuti MishraFire experts say today’s extreme heat is drying vegetation rapidly, increasing the risk that fires already burning spread quickly and that new ignitions take hold.
Rachael Nolan, research fellow at Western Sydney University and director of the NSW Bushfire and Natural Hazards Research Centre, said current heatwave conditions are making fires more likely by drying out fine fuels.
“During current conditions, heatwaves can rapidly dry fine fuels such as leaves and twigs,” she said, adding that fuel loads have rebounded in many areas after several wet years, increasing the risk when extreme heat sets in.
Fire behaviour scientist Philip Zylstra, adjunct associate professor at Curtin University and the Australian National University, said the heat means areas that might normally slow a fire can now burn.
“The heatwave means that many places that might have been too moist to burn can now burn,” he said. “This makes it more likely that a fire will start, but it also breaks down the natural defences that forests have against fire, because natural firebreaks may now burn, and fires can keep spreading. It’s like opening all the gates.”
With extreme heat coinciding with strong winds and a forecast wind change, experts say the margin for containing fires today is particularly narrow.
Video: Aerial visuals show extent of destruction from bushfires in Australia's Victoria
08:38 , Stuti Mishra‘One of the most dangerous fire days in years’, Victoria premier warns as heat peaks
08:00 , Stuti MishraVictoria’s premier Jacinta Allan has warned the state is facing one of its most dangerous fire days in years, as firefighters battle multiple blazes amid extreme heat.
“Today represents one of the most dangerous fire days that this state has experienced in years,” Ms Allan said, as temperatures across parts of Victoria climb towards 46C.
Fire crews are responding to a number of blazes burning across rural areas of the state, while authorities warn that the heat is sharply increasing the risk of fires spreading or becoming difficult to control.
Parts of Victoria are facing catastrophic fire danger, with the Bureau of Meteorology warning that fires that develop or are already burning could be extremely difficult, if not impossible, to fight under today’s conditions.
The warning comes as very high temperatures continue through the afternoon, drying vegetation further ahead of a forecast wind change later in the day, a period that fire authorities say is often among the most dangerous.
Photos: Huge plume of smoke seen as dozens of bushfires continue to burn
08:37 , Stuti Mishra
Victoria temperatures hit 46C as fires continue to rage
07:38 , Stuti MishraParts of Victoria are enduring extreme heat, with temperatures climbing into the mid to high 40s as fires continue to burn in several areas.
Temperatures reached 43.4C at Melbourne airport just after 2pm, while Avalon recorded 44.1C earlier in the afternoon. In regional Victoria, Horsham hit 43.7C, and Hopetoun airport in the Mallee recorded 46.3C.
This level of heat is drying vegetation rapidly, increasing the risk that existing fires can spread quickly and that new ignitions can take hold.
Strong north-westerly winds are adding to the danger, with widespread gusts in the 60–80kmph range and higher in exposed areas, conditions forecasters earlier warned could drive fast and unpredictable fire behaviour.
A wind change expected later this evening is also raising concerns, with warnings already escalated in several locations as authorities caution conditions could deteriorate quickly.
‘Leave immediately’ warning hits towns scarred by Black Saturday
07:09 , Stuti MishraA fresh leave immediately warning has been issued for towns that were among the worst hit in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, as authorities warn a forecast wind change could quickly worsen conditions this evening.
The warning covers Kinglake, Kinglake Central, Kinglake West, Marysville, Toolangi, Flowerdale, Buxton and Murrindindi, as well as Break O’Day, Clonbinane, Devlin Bridge, Glenburn, Rubicon, Taggerty and Woodbourne.
Officials said the wind change expected around 8pm could shift the fire towards the north-east, warning that conditions may become very dangerous and unpredictable.
The warning area has also been expanded around Marysville, where large parts of the town were destroyed during Black Saturday, underscoring the stakes for residents being told to leave now.
Power outages increase to over 90,000 across Victoria
06:44 , Stuti MishraThe number of homes and businesses without power across Victoria has risen to more than 90,000 as damaging winds, extreme heat and active bushfires continue to disrupt the electricity network.
AusNet said at least 42,000 properties on its grid remain without power, while Powercor reported around 46,000 customers offline across southern Victoria and parts of Melbourne.
Power companies say restoration efforts are being slowed by strong winds, falling trees, fire activity and safety systems triggered during extreme weather, with conditions varying across the state.
Damaging winds driving dangerous conditions across Victoria
06:20 , Stuti MishraHot, dry and gusty north-north-westerly winds ahead of a cold front are creating dangerous conditions across Victoria today, forecasters said, worsening fire risk and increasing the likelihood of falling trees, power outages and hazardous travel.
Wind gusts in excess of 90kmph were possible across the warning area, with even stronger gusts with thunderstorms and over elevated terrain, increasing risks for communities and emergency services, the Bureau of Meteorology said this morning.
“Winds of this strength have the potential to bring down trees, power lines, cause power outages, and create really hazardous driving conditions," the forecaster said.
The winds are also making fires extremely difficult to manage. As conditions dry out under extreme heat, any fire that starts or is already burning is expected to spread rapidly:
“Any fires that are ongoing or are ignited within this area will spread very quickly and be difficult to control or unable to be controlled," the BoM's meteorologist said in a briefing this morning.
Severe thunderstorms linked to the cold front are expected across parts of the state, adding to the risk.
“Damaging wind gusts are possible with these severe storms that can create really erratic fire behaviour.”
There is also concern about dry lightning, with storms expected to produce little rainfall.
“The thunderstorms are expected to be very high base with most of the rainfall evaporating before it reaches the ground, which means there is a risk of dry lightning igniting new fires,” the bureau said.
A wind change is expected to move through south-western Victoria this afternoon, reaching a line between Mildura and Melbourne by early evening, before pushing east overnight. While conditions are expected to ease across much of the state later this evening, damaging winds may persist over alpine and elevated areas until Saturday morning.
People urged to take shelter in areas where it is too late to leave
06:00 , Stuti MishraVicEmergency has issued several warnings to take shelter for areas where it is now too late to leave.
New warning issued for areas surrounding a grassfire at Quantong and Vectis, near Horsham, that is not yet under control.
EMERGENCY WARNING - GRASS FIRE - Shelter Indoors Now - Arapiles, East Natimuk, Grass Flat, Natimuk, Noradjuha, Pimpinio, Quantong, Vectis, Vectis East, Vectis South
— VicEmergency (@vicemergency) January 9, 2026
More details at https://t.co/raZXqkUvN4
Do not get in the car and drive. It is safer to stay where you are. pic.twitter.com/LaQ8MNn4Va
Mapped: Multiple fires triggering emergency warnings across Victoria
05:27 , Stuti MishraThere are multiple bushfires resulting in emergency warnings across Victoria, according to the government's VicEmergency website.These include:
- The Longwood fire in central Victoria
- The Walwa fire in north-east Victoria
- A grassfire near Skipton, south-east of Ballarat
- A grassfire near Horsham in the state’s far west
- A grassfire near Muckatah in the far north
- A grassfire near Avalon, north of Geelong
- A grassfire near Ravenswood South, south of Bendigo
For the latest information on emergency warnings, as well as Watch and Act and advice alerts, residents can check the VicEmergency website here.
.png)
More than 35,000 without power across Victoria
05:15 , Stuti MishraMore than 35,000 people are without electricity across Victoria as bushfires and a heatwave continue to affect large parts of the state.
In western Victoria, electricity distributor Powercor said 23,121 customers were without power as of 1.45pm.
In the state’s east, AusNet reported around 12,000 customers without electricity.
Total fire ban declared across Victoria for Saturday
05:00 , Stuti MishraA total fire ban has been declared across Victoria for today, extending restrictions already in place across the state yesterday.
Under the ban, no fires can be lit in the open air anywhere in Victoria until at least 11.59pm tonight, as authorities warn dangerous conditions are set to continue.
Residents told to 'leave now' as 40 fires burn: 'You will not win simply against the fires'
04:45 , Stuti MishraThe emergency management commissioner, Tim Wiebusch, said yesterdat that the Longwood bushfire was out of control and had destroyed both community and residential property in the town of Ruffy, about 175km north of Melbourne.
“We can’t confirm those numbers at this stage, it’s still too dangerous to get in and on the ground. But we have seen through our aerial intelligence gathering helicopters that we have lost multiple properties,” Mr Wiebusch said.
He said about 40 fires were burning across Victoria due to a severe to extreme heatwave combined with damaging winds and storms. Fire potential was “catastrophic” across four regions – north central, northern country, south west and Wimmera – the first time such a warning has been issued since the Black Summer fires of 2019–20. Conditions were “extreme” across the rest of the state.
“Anywhere in the state today will be challenging and difficult conditions for our firefighters,” Mr Wiebusch said, adding that strong winds could ground parts of the aviation fleet.
“If you’re in a bushfire-prone area … our strongest advice is leave now,” he said. “If you don’t leave now, it could result in your life being lost.”
Premier Jacinta Allan said it was “not courageous” to stay and defend property.
“You will not win simply against the fires of these magnitudes that are created on days like today,” she said.
Photos: Firefighters work at the site where bushfire destroyed homes
04:24 , Stuti Mishra
Total fire ban declared across Victoria for Saturday
03:58 , Stuti MishraA total fire ban has been declared across Victoria for today, extending restrictions already in place across the state yesterday.
Under the ban, no fires can be lit in the open air anywhere in Victoria until at least 11.59pm tonight, as authorities warn dangerous conditions are set to continue.
At least 10 homes destroyed as Longwood bushfire leaves streets ‘like a bomb’s gone off’
03:47 , Stuti MishraA bushfire burning near Longwood has scorched nearly 36,000 hectares and destroyed at least ten homes in the small town of Ruffy, as authorities warn conditions are worsening.
“Victorians should brace themselves for more property loss or worse,” Jason Heffernan, chief officer of the Country Fire Authority, told ABC.
“The conditions were extreme yesterday. They’re catastrophic today,” he said.
Ruffy CFA captain George Noye said the town had been severely affected.
“The main street looks like a bomb’s gone off, we’ve lost a school,” he told the ABC Radio.
“Some properties have lost everything. They’ve lost their livelihoods, they’ve lost their shearing sheds, livestock, just absolutely devastating.
“But thankfully, at the moment, no lives have been lost.”
Emergency services have urged people in fire-prone areas to leave early, warning that conditions could deteriorate further through the day.
Three people, including a child, unaccounted for as bushfire tears through Victoria
03:25 , Stuti MishraThree people – including a child – are missing after bushfires tore through parts of Victoria under “catastrophic” conditions, destroying homes and forcing emergency warnings across south-eastern Australia.
Authorities said multiple out-of-control fires were burning in central and north-eastern Victoria as extreme heat and strong winds fuelled dangerous fire behaviour.
Several properties have been destroyed, and police said a man, woman and child remain unaccounted for after a house burned down in Longwood East.
