What we learned, 10 January 2025
Stay safe, everyone. We’re wrapping up the blog for Saturday, but before we go, here are the major developments from today:
More than 100 buildings have been destroyed and 300,000 hectares burned in Victoria’s bushfires. Fire danger warnings have been imposed across much of New South Wales and all of Victoria as the southern state experiences the worst fire conditions since the black summer bushfires.
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has declared a state of emergency in 18 local government areas and an alpine resort.
Despite a change in conditions on Saturday, the fire threat remained as strong westerly winds pushed existing fire fronts east to threatened additional communities.
The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, warned of an “incredible threat” as fire bans were imposed, and asked residents not to take risks.
Queensland’s premier, David Crisafulli, said the state has been as prepared as it ever has been for the cyclone developing off the Queensland coast.
A man was found dead in his car near an active fire, but his death appears not to have been related to the bushfires, authorities said.
Three people reported missing in Victoria’s north on Friday were found alive and well.
Meanwhile, former Adelaide festival leaders wrote to the current board to voice their criticism over the dumping of a Palestinian writer from the program.
We’ll see you again tomorrow for all the latest.
Updated
Tropical Cyclone Koji expected to make landfall near Townsville on Sunday morning
AAP reports that the tropical low off the coast of Queensland (expected to develop into a cyclone) will make landfall near Townsville early on Sunday, with residents in the far north warned to take shelter:
Authorities warn conditions will be dangerous as the system approaches, with gale-strength winds likely from late afternoon.
Should Cyclone Koji eventuate, its force will knock down trees and power lines, and blow away anything not tied down outside, according to the emergency warning. The Bureau of Meteorology says:
This is a risk to life. Heavy rain may cause flooding in some places.
Power, phones, internet and water might stop working. Roads could be blocked by fallen trees, powerlines or flood water.
The Queensland premier, David Crisafulli, was adamant earlier on Saturday that the already hard-hit region was “better prepared than ever” to handle the challenge.
Tropical Low 12U was at that stage stationed east of Cooktown, with a 50-60% chance of developing into a category one cyclone.
Koji was expected to deliver 100km/h wind gusts, and heavy downpours in already soaked catchment areas and a risk of flash floods.
Bureau of Meteorology forecaster Dean Narramore said:
Rainfall will ramp up later today and into tomorrow through firstly the Central Coast region and then into the Herbert and lower Burdekin.
There are severe weather warnings from Port Douglas down to Mackay and cyclone warnings are also current from Port Douglas into the Ayr area.
Updated
Our photographer Steve Womersley has been out at the Longwood fire, where it’s a similar tale of devastation:
Updated
Hi all – Tory Shepherd here, taking over from Royce Kurmelovs. I wish I had some better news to bring you, but there are some harrowing images coming out of Harcourt, where dozens of properties have been destroyed:
Updated
NSW RFS says 53 bushfires and grass fires still burning across state, 10 not contained
As New South Wales continues to grapple with a major heatwave, there are 53 bushfires and grass fires burning across the state, the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) has confirmed.
Ten of those fires have not yet been contained.
There is one fire at a “watch and act” level burning within the Wadbilliga national park, around 20km north-west of Cobargo. The village, in the Bega shire, was decimated during the 2019–2020 black Saturday bushfires.
The NSW RFS said fire activity had “increased across the fire ground and is burning in an easterly and south-easterly direction”.
The fire is currently 260 hectares in size and being controlled.
Two further fires, one at Ku-ring-gai Chase Rd, Mount Colah and one at Mummel, 16km north-west of Goulburn, were at a “watch and act” level but had since been downgraded to “advice” in the past hour.
Updated
Euroa residents still ‘in fight mode’, local MP says
Residents of Euroa have yet to process the scale of the damage to their communities after fire swept through the area.
Speaking to the ABC on Saturday morning, the Nationals MP for Euroa, Annebelle Cleeland, described the situation in the region as “crisis, absolutely” and painted a vivid picture of the destruction.
I don’t think we’re processing it, we’re in fight mode. We’re cut off, isolated, fighting. The grief and the shock is being met with sheer exhaustion. My friends and my neighbours, family, my sister ten minutes before this found out that she’s lost most of her property and it’s nothing like you imagine. We still have to keep that adrenalin running because we are in the thick of it. We are not out of danger.
Cleeland described the experience as “just terrifying”, that she had received calls from people who are “surprised they are still alive.”
These are firefighters that have been defending our region for nearly 40 years. This is like nothing they’ve ever seen, the scale and heat and ferocity of this fire, it’s like nothing you could imagine.
Cleeland said the community is running out of fuel, water and “tankers are struggling to get water access” after the community has gone through a drought over the last year.
We have Longwood cut off from phone reception, power, water. There is no water. These are townships that have gone through more than 40 degree heat and they have nothing. It is crisis. Absolutely.
Updated
Greens say catastrophic bushfires a ‘climate disaster’
The Greens say the worst bushfire conditions sense black summer underscores the need for more urgent action on climate change.
The acting leader of the Greens, Sarah Hanson-Young, said conditions had been made worse by ongoing fossil fuel extraction and consumption, particularly from coal and gas.
Hanson-Young said the Greens wanted an end to coal and gas approvals, and subsidies for fossil fuel production. The party said coal and gas companies should be made to pay “for protecting the community and the damage they have caused”.
It is devastating to see these catastrophic fires destroying communities across Victoria– our hearts are with those who have lost their homes, the friends and families of those displaced and injured, and with the brave firefighters across the country who are charging into danger day after day.
We’re hoping that today’s cool change in Victoria gives firefighters a reprieve and helps them bring these terrible blazes under control, and that NSW doesn’t see the same as the heat moves north.
Make no mistake, this is a climate disaster. These are the worst fire conditions since Black Summer, and they’re made worse with each coal and gas mine that is opened.
These extreme fires are being fuelled by mining and burning coal and gas, but politicians from both the major parties keep approving new fossil fuel projects because they are on the payroll of coal and gas corporations.
The only way to keep people safe is to stop adding more fuel to the climate fire: no more coal and gas.
Updated
Most public buildings in fire-hit Harcourt have been saved, town meeting told
The majority of public buildings have been saved, a town hall meeting in Harcourt has been told.
The meeting is under way to provide an update to the community, with the CFA incident controller Michael Masters saying the situation is still too dynamic to provide solid answers or to allow residents to return to their homes.
The Mount Alexander mayor, Toby Heydon, says the local leadership has been working over the last 24 hours to coordinate the fire response, even as some staff and councillors lost their homes and properties.
He says the council works in partnership with the Incident Control Centre and has been in touch with the premier, Jacinta Allan.
Our primary focus up until now and to continue today is supporting emergency response in fire-affected areas.
But he says “the focus for us is how do we best support the community in recovery” with a recovery centre to open in Castlemaine from Monday morning.
Updated
Strong winds push fire toward Victorian town of Otway
Strong northerly winds are pushing an out-of-control fire toward the Victorian town of Otway.
The CEO of Colac Otway shire council, Andrew Tenni, spoke to the ABC about the developing situation, saying it is “looking pretty interesting at the moment”.
He says anyone in the path of the fire around Carlisle River is advised to head north to relief centres at the Colac Showgrounds and Colac Neighbourhood Centre for those seeking shelter.
Those with animals or livestock can go to the Colac Showgrounds, with the animals to be housed in the showgrounds area.
Tenni says the shire has been asked to open an emergency relief centre in the last few moments.
So that’s providing some shelter and accommodation for people that may be displaced because of the fires. We’ll put in other measures. So food and water that will be available to people.
And amazingly one of the biggest asks when the relief centres are open is for power, for people to charge up their phones and iPads and things so they can keep in touch with other family and keep across what’s going on through the VicEmergency app.
Tenni says communication with locals, to provide them with more information, will begin shortly.
Updated
Townsville residents told to prepare to take shelter ahead of gale-force winds
Townsville residents have been told to prepare to take shelter after a watch and act notice was issued by the Townsville Local Disaster Management Group.
A tropical low is developing slowly as it moves towards the north-east Queensland coast that is forecast to reach cyclone intensity later this evening before crossing the coast near Townsville, most likely early on Sunday.
Gale-strength winds are expected from 4pm today that threatens to down trees and power lines, and blow away debris not tied down outside.
Heavy rain is expected to cause flooding in some places, communications may be vulnerable and roads may become blocked.
Resident are advised to:
Finish preparing your property.
Fill your car with fuel, or charge it, and park it undercover. Do not park under a tree.
Store or tie down outside items, such as caravans, trailers, outdoor furniture, gas bottles, toys and play equipment.
Move outdoor furniture inside or sink it in your pool so it doesn’t fly around in strong winds.
Unplug all electrical items.
Fill up containers and the bath with clean water for drinking. Turn water off to your house if you can.
Be ready to turn off power, solar, water and gas to your house if you can and if it is safe.
Check your family, friends and neighbours know what to do. Help them if you can.
It is recommended that emergency kits should contain battery-powered radios, torches with spare batteries, tinned and packet food and bottled water for five days, enough clothes for five days and any important medicines.
Updated
More evacuation orders in Victoria’s Otway region
More evacuation orders have been issued for communities in the Otway region as two bushfires continue to spread at Cape Otway and Carlisle River.
Communities urged to leave immediately include Cape Otway, Maits Rest and Great Otway national park north of Carlisle River.
Communities told to take shelter now include Carlisle River, Chapple Vale, Irrewillipe, Kennedys Creek, Lavers Hill, Simpson and Wyelangta.
Anyone at Cape Otway is being told to “leave via the Great Ocean Road and head towards Apollo Bay”.
Updated
Banks making ‘special arrangements’ for bushfire affected customers
Australian banks are making “special arrangements” for those in Victoria who have been affected by the bushfires and who may need additional financial assistance, the Australian Banking Association says.
The ABA CEO, Simon Birmingham, said the country’s banks were monitoring the situation in Victoria and were “on standby to assist impacted customers”.
This is an extremely challenging time for many Victorian communities, households and businesses.
There are now special arrangements in place for those who may need additional financial assistance from their bank in the coming days, weeks and months.
Banks have highly experienced specialist teams ready to help individual and business customers across the state.
If you need financial relief, please reach out to your bank as soon as possible so support can quickly be put in place.
Birmingham said that, depending on individual circumstances, banks can assist by:
Deferring upcoming credit card payments.
Deferring scheduled loan repayments.
Providing emergency credit limit increases.
Restructuring existing loans.
Waiving or refunding of fees and charges.
Offering additional finance to help cover cashflow shortages.
Updated
Fire near NSW-Victoria border spreads across farmland
Here, footage from the NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) shows a fire at Goombargana, near the Victorian border, rapidly spreading across farmland.
The fire has now been contained after burning more than 1,020 hectares.
The RFS said conditions on Saturday had been “difficult, with temperatures in the 40s and strong westerly winds, contributing to rapid fire spread”.
Another challenging day is expected tomorrow. Stay informed, remain prepared, and know what you will do if threatened by fire.
Updated
Extreme heatwave warning for Sydney and south-eastern NSW
Over in New South Wales, an “extreme” heatwave warning continues to cover metropolitan Sydney, the Illawarra, south coast, southern tablelands, Snowy Mountains, south-west slopes and Riverina.
A “severe” heatwave warning is in place for the Hunter, central tablelands, central west slopes and plains, lower western and upper western districts.
Right now it is 39.8C in the Sydney CBD, according to the Bureau of Meteorology, and expected to climb to 43C in the next hour or so. Penrith, in Sydney’s west, has hit 41.5C.
More than a dozen bushfires have popped up across NSW today amid the hot temperatures, but all are under control or being controlled.
Elsewhere, Canberra has hit 36.1C.
Updated
‘Never witnessed anything like’ Longwood bushfire, Strathbogie mayor says
The fires burning in Strathbogie shire overnight are the worst the mayor has ever seen.
The Strathbogie shire deputy mayor, Claire Ewart-Kennedy, is speaking to ABC about the experience of the town.
I’ve never witnessed anything like it and I’ve been through a few fires in my life, but I’ve never seen the type of disruption, displacement of people that I witnessed yesterday and I’m sure I’ll witness again today.
Kennedy said it was too early to know the extent of losses among residents, and she spent Friday helping out at the Seymour relief centre.
They’d left home without. It’s devastating. And I just want to shout out to the heroes of this. It’s the volunteers, you know, the CFA, the SES. What they do is incredible.
Kennedy said there had been a lack of funding for emergency services and that telecommunications issues mean people were cut off in certain areas.
Telecommunications has been a real issue, particularly where the fires are and look, unfortunately this is not a political debate, but what it demonstrates is the lack of resource funding for our emergency services.
Ewart-Kennedy previously worked as chief of staff for Liberal MP Tim Wilson and as an adviser to Josh Frydenberg.
Updated
Sixty-seven fires burning across Victoria, 10 out of control
In the past half hour, communities have been urged to “take shelter now” as the Longwood fire continues to spread. It has now burned through more than 140,000 hectares of land and remains the largest fire in the state.
The emergency warning has been issued for Caveat, Creightons Creek, Dropmore, Gobur, Gooram, Highlands, Kanumbra, Kelvin View, Locksley, Longwood, Longwood East, Ruffy, Strathbogie, Tarcombe, Terip Terip and Upton Hill.
There are 11 further emergency warnings in place for the Walwa fire, Carlisle River fire and Cape Otway fire.
Meanwhile, the grass fire at Ravenswood South, which has destroyed about 50 homes in Harcourt, is at a watch and act level, as is a fire at Mt Mercer near Meredith and bushfires at Mt Darling, Streatham and Boinka.
As of this afternoon, there were still 67 fires burning across the state, with 10 out-of-control bushfires.
Updated
Malinauskas says SA government ‘did not support’ Abdel-Fattah invitation to writers’ festival
In response to questions from Guardian Australia about the letter, the South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, said:
The Adelaide Festival Board engaged with the State Government on this issue.
By law, I as Premier am prevented from directing the Board. I support the intent of this legislation, and have made it clear at every juncture that I would not seek to direct the board.
However, when asked for my opinion I was happy to make it clear that the State Government did not support the inclusion of Dr Abdel-Fattah on the Adelaide Writers’ Week program ...
I note the Adelaide Festival also made its own decision to remove a Jewish writer from the Adelaide Writers’ Week program in 2024 in very similar circumstances. I support that decision, and the consistent application of this principle.”
The writer Malinauskas is referring to is Thomas L Friedman. Abdel-Fattah was among those who wrote to the festival board to object to his appearance at the festival.
Updated
‘Silencing and censorship’ of Palestinian-Australian writer brings Adelaide festival into disrepute, cultural leaders say
The letter said the cancellation of Randa Abdel-Fattah’s participation was a grave mistake which had brought the festival and writers’ week into disrepute.
“An about-face may be embarrassing but it is both the right thing to do and will cauterise the growing damage to this much loved and internationally significant South Australian cultural institution,” the letter says.
To revoke [Abdel-Fattah’s] invitation inevitably and appallingly draws a direct link between her presence and the outrage of the Bondi massacre.
Wickedness thrives in darkness and prejudice thrives in ignorance born of silence. The open discussion of ideas, beliefs, facts and opinion is ultimately the pathway to community cohesion. Silencing and censorship are not.
The letter also questioned why the board appeared to have abandoned its support for the director of Writers’ Week, Louise Adler, who is scheduled to deliver her fourth festival from 28 February to 4 March.
The festival board has previously been admirable in its support of the director’s decisions in the face of vocal and well-organised opposition … the board’s reversal of its principled support for the director and her program at this time is, in our view, antithetical to what the festival and writers week have and should stand for.
The festival board and Adler have been contacted for comment.
Updated
Former Adelaide festival leaders urge board to reinstate invitation to Randa Abdel-Fattah
A letter signed by 11 prominent cultural figures has been sent to the South Australian premier, Peter Malinauskas, and the Adelaide festival board, demanding the reinstatement of Randa Abdel-Fattah to Adelaide Writers’ Week.
The board dumped the Palestinian Australian academic as a speaker on Thursday, citing “cultural sensitivity” after the Bondi attack.
The letter was drafted by Rob Brookman, who has held almost every major leadership role at the festival across three decades, including artistic director and executive director.
The 10 co-signees, including Neil Armfield, Jo Dyer, Jim Sharman and Anthony Steel, have all previously held senior artistic or administrative positions at the festival.
Updated
Queensland premier lashes copper thief who caused communications disruption in cyclone risk area
The Queensland premier has described copper thieves who cut a telecommunications line in Deeragun as the state braced for a cyclone as “lowlifes”.
David Crisafulli is giving an update on conditions in Queensland’s far north, where he says the communications disruption has impacted Optus customers and NBN users.
My message to that lowlife is you have put at risk the lives of north Queenslanders in their hour of need and you can’t get a lower act.
Summarising preparations and disaster response, he says 11% of the state’s publicly owned road network has been affected by flooding. Townsville airport will be closed this afternoon from 4pm but is expected to reopen on Sunday.
He says 35 SES crews had been pre-deployed with another 21 arriving yesterday.
As we saw in reverse [to] the event early last year where crews from the north came and helped those in the south.
And it’s a big family, the emergency services, and I want to thank them. But to the extra police, the fire officers, the ambulance officers, I’m most grateful for them going in and assisting and what they do is they help to bolster the numbers and on the ground you’ve got the locals who live and breathe weather conditions every day.
The premier begins to discuss communication issues in the region when his press conference suffers technical difficulties and cuts off.
Updated
Heat is Australia’s ‘silent killer’. Here are the symptoms to watch out for
Australia’s southern states are baking in the most significant heatwave since the 2019-20 black summer. Temperatures surpassing 40C have been recorded in many parts of the country, including Melbourne and Adelaide.
But experts warn that the heat people actually experience could far exceed what is forecast – because the Bureau of Meteorology measures air temperature in the shade.
“Depending on what surface you’re standing on and the radiant heat, it could be up to 10C hotter,” says Dr Kim Loo, the NSW and ACT deputy chair of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners.
Heatwaves have been described as a “silent killer” because they do not leave the same large-scale visible scars as bushfires and floods – but extreme heat is the most common cause of weather-related hospitalisations and deaths in Australia.
What effect does extreme heat have on the body?
For more on the effects of extreme heat, read the full story by Guardian Australia’s Donna Lu:
Updated
Western Sydney swelters as temperatures rise
Temperatures in Penrith have spiked past 40C, according to the Bureau of Meteorology.
It is expected Penrith will reach a max of 43C today before falling to 20C.
Updated
Corryong residents urged to leave as Walwa fire burns: ‘Just a waiting game now’
While temperatures have dropped for much of Victoria, that is not the case for the northern border with New South Wales, where an out-of-control bushfire continues to burn west of Walwa.
There are seven emergency warnings in place related to the fire, with 10 communities, including Walwa, Mitta Mitta and Dartmouth urged to evacuate immediately, and 17 told to take shelter now as the bushfire approaches.
They include the township of Corryong, which was severely impacted by the 2019-20 black summer fires and was set to reach 35C on Saturday afternoon.
Corryong resident Zac Zerbst said police conducted a final door knock early on Saturday morning telling the community to leave as it had entered the ember zone.
“As of right now the skies are clear and only a very slight breeze. Just a waiting game now,” he wrote on social media.
Community bushfire recovery service, the Border Walwa Community, said in a post on social media on Saturday morning that the fires had “slashed into localities of Koetong, Shelley, Berringama and is nibbling at Bullioh and Tallangatta Valley”.
I know that a lot of residents who were unable to evacuate, nervous about driving or, in early stages, were resistant to leaving, many were provided with bus transport out of Corryong around midnight.
My heart breaks for all those that have been impacted. My heart swells with gratitude to all who are volunteering or working to fight the fire.
Updated
CFA volunteer Simon fought the fire that destroyed his own home: ‘I knew eventually it would get to us’
All that’s left of the weekend home Simon Crisp built near Longwood, 150km north of Melbourne, is the chimney and the bathtub. The rest is a pile of warped rubble and ash.
I knew that eventually the fire would get to us, because for the previous 12 hours it had been coming in our direction, creeping up.
He’s exhausted, has lost the place he loved and doesn’t know where he will stay tonight. But after patching up his fresh blisters at the Longwood command centre, the Country Fire Authority volunteer is heading back out on a fire truck to help others.
I could be here for a few days.
Crisp is one of more than 700 Victorian firefighters who battled 40 blazes on Friday, as temperatures soared as high as 46C in parts of the state and 75,000 homes lost power.
For more read the full feature by Guardian Australia’s Cait Kelly:
Updated
Carlisle River and Kennedy Creek residents told to leave immediately
A second notice has been issued that instructs residents of the Carlisle River and Kennedy Creek communities to leave immediately.
A bushfire at Carlisle River is not yet under control and travelling in a south-easterly direction between Bowen’s track and Trotter’s Track.
Residents in the area are being asked to leave immediately.
Updated
Leave now warning for Cape Otway fire between Lavers Hill and Apollo
Victorian authorities have issued a leave now emergency warning for a fire burning in Cape Otway between Lavers Hill and Apollo.
The alert particularly applies to people travelling along the Great Ocean Road in Cape Otway and the Maits Rest area.
Those in the area are advised to take action and leave immediately.
Updated
NSW Rural Fire Service watching for fires as temperatures rise
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service is watching for new fires ahead of a change expected this afternoon, the deputy commissioner, Ben Millington, says.
Millington, speaking to the ABC on Saturday afternoon, warned that “it will be difficult to control and contain” if a fire takes hold this afternoon when temperatures are expected to increase.
So we are asking the community to remain vigilant, heed warnings from the emergency services and we’ve certainly got a number of hours ahead of us before we see that change come through later tonight.
He said there were 46 bush and grassfires burning across NSW at present, six of which were not contained.
Total fire bans remain in place from the Hunter region, down through Sydney into the Illawarra, Shoalhaven, far south coast and over the ranges to the Central Ranges and Southern Slopes, Monaro and Alpine.
We don’t want people to be introducing new fires, so be careful of those wooden barbecues, any of those welding works that people are undertaking. We just don’t need those sort of things starting new fires under these conditions.
Updated
Dougall says evacuation centre staff are doing their best to support the community and meet their needs as they arrive – including one resident who turned up with a dingo.
We are solving lots and lots of problems as people come in. They’re not the sort of problems that you necessarily plan for, but we have managed to find solutions and just earlier today we had a person turn up with a dingo and we managed to find out how do we locate this and how do we separate that from the other pets that have been brought in. But all sorts of challenges are emerging, but we’ve been able to find solutions at this stage.
Updated
Residents at evacuation centre hungry for information, Mitchell mayor says
The mood among residents of Mitchell shire remains tense as “the threat remains real”, the mayor, John Dougall, says.
Speaking to the ABC, Dougall is overseeing the support effort at the Seymour evacuation centre and says those who have had to evacuate the fires have found a sense of “calm” at the centre – but everyone remains hungry for information.
That is the key question on people’s lips, isn’t it? You know, is my house still standing? Can I access my property? I believe that the police were about to hold a meeting with all of the community that are here at the Seymour sports and aquatic centre, which is the emergency relief centre in Seymour.
Dougall said a community meeting would be held at 5pm today with residents of Mitchell, Strathbogie and Murrindindi welcome.
This is a community that is pretty resilient. You know, we have faced disasters in the past, the floods in 2022 and, of course, in 2024. This is now 2026 and we’re facing a fire. So we understand not just the immediate scenario, the relief that is required in, you know, during the event, but also as we move into that recovery phase.
Updated
What we learned from the Victorian bushfires update
The press conference has wrapped, so just a quick summary of the key details of what was reported:
The three people missing after their house burnt down in the Longwood fire have been found and confirmed safe.
About 120 properties are known to have been destroyed, and that number is expected to rise.
There are 20 fires burning across the state, 10 of them at a major fire level.
More than 800,000 hectares of land in Victoria is now under an emergency warning.
There are 19 active emergency warnings, with 16 watch and act notices, and several advisories.
The premier, Jacinta Allan’s own community is one of those that were told to leave over concerns about an approaching fire front.
The Bendigo railway line has been affected by fires, with a temporary bus service to replace trains.
State emergency services have called for assistance from interstate and overseas over the next month.
Updated
Three firefighters treated for injuries across Victoria
Three firefighters have sustained injuries while on the fire ground across Victoria, the Country Fire Authority chief officer, Jason Heffernan, says.
Yesterday, authorities shared details about a firefighter who injured his hand. Heffernan says he has been treated at Royal Melbourne hospital.
Another CFA firefighter was hit in the face by a hose and has been transported to Horsham hospital, where he was assessed and has since been transferred to Melbourne for further treatment.
An interstate firefighter with a pre-existing condition experienced a “medical episode” that required evacuation by airlift to Melbourne as a precaution.
All three firefighters are “doing just fine”, Heffernan says.
They are in great spirit and I know on behalf of all Victorians you’ll be passing your thanks and dedication and gratitude for each of them and the sacrifices that they have made for you all.
Heffernan also thanked communities who hosted CFA crews overnight, particularly around the Longwood fire.
I just want to thank the communities, the publicans, the shopkeepers and the Airbnb providers that opened up their doors, provided free meals, free accommodation and all wellbeing and support for these firefighters.
Updated
The Victorian police commissioner, Mike Bush, has asked residents to respect instructions at roadblocks.
Please, I implore you to follow the instructions of emergency services personnel who are out there. The reason they give these instructions is very much for your own safety.
He says that the man in his 60s who was found dead in his vehicle is not considered to be related to the fire, but the cause of death will be investigated by the coroner.
Updated
Wiebusch says there have been “significant losses” as a result of the fires.
At the Ravenswood and Harcourt fire, there have been approximately 50 structures lost – although this is a conservative early estimate with expectations that it will grow.
The Bendigo railway line has been affected and is closed, with a temporary bus service to replace trains.
At the Longwood fire, 30 structures have been lost with impact assessments still occurring in the area.
Livestock, vineyards and cropping land have been lost at the Natimuk fire in Victoria’s west, with 20 structures lost and significant impacts on livestock.
At the Yarrowee fire in Victoria’s north on the Murray Valley Highway, 10 structures have been lost to fire along with damage to agricultural land.
At the Streatham fire, five structures have been confirmed lost.
There have been small structural losses at the Walwa fire, but 10,000 hectares, including pine plantations, have been lost.
Victoria’s firefighting effort has been aided by 160 personnel from interstate with another 32 arriving from other parts of Australia.
Wiebusch says he put out a request for extra resources from other states, but also internationally, to support the state “over the next month”, but more information will be provided “in the coming days”.
Updated
More fires expected in Victoria after lightning overnight
More fires are expected in Victoria today as the result of lightning overnight, the emergency management commissioner, Tim Wiebusch, says.
Victoria has experienced 200 fires, he says, with 11 growing into major fires, and while this has eased, “many of those major fires will continue to burn for days, if not weeks”.
Those looking to return to their properties are advised to check current warnings.
If you are no longer in the warning footprint, it is safe for you to return to those areas, but you need to remain alert because we still have those 10 major fires in the landscape.
But Wiebusch asks that people stay away from the “fire footprints” until they are declared safe to return, out of concern for roads in and out of communities becoming jammed.
The areas currently covered by the state of disaster are:
Alpine Shire
Ararat Rural City
Colac Otway Shire
Corangamite Shire
East Gippsland Shire
Golden Plains Shire
Greater Bendigo City
Horsham Rural City
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort
Mansfield Shire
Mildura Rural City
Mitchell Shire
Moira Shire
Mount Alexander Shire
Murrindindi Shire
Pyrenees Shire
Strathbogie Shire
Towong Shire
Wellington Shire
Updated
Personal hardship payments available for fire-affected communities, premier says
Personal hardship payments will be made available to those in fire-affected communities, with further information to be made available through the VicEmergency hotline, the premier, Jacinta Allan, says.
These payments provide funds to buy clothes, food and medication in emergency situations.
This will not be the end of the assistance for those fire-affected communities as those impact assessments are undertaken – we know there is a long recovery journey ahead.
To those wondering about whether they can return, the premier says work is being done on that at the moment, but strong winds make the situation “difficult and dangerous” and the situation is “unpredictable and can change very, very quickly”.
What can look safe one moment can be a very dangerous, difficult situation the next. So please continue to stay informed. Follow the advice, support our emergency services, and take care of family and loved ones.
Updated
Three people reported missing after house destroyed in bushfire have been found safe
Three people who were reported as missing have been found and are safe, the Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, says.
We are grateful for everyone for supporting those people, to keep them safe.
The premier is also providing an update on the man in his 60s who died near a fire ground after he was found in his vehicle.
While his death is not directly related to the fires, the fact this death occurred in such close proximity to the fire ground means this is a community that is grieving and my thoughts are with his family and the broader community.
Allan, who says her own community has been told to evacuate, thanks those who have followed advice by emergency authorities saying that, as emergency warnings are issued, “communities did respond”.
I know how hard it is to leave your home, not knowing when or what you will return to. It has saved lives. Again, I thank Victorians for following that advice.
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Ten major fire fronts continue to burn across Victoria, with 20 smaller fires
Ten major fire fronts continue to burn across Victoria, with another 20 smaller fires that require monitoring.
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, and state emergency authorities are giving an update on conditions in Victoria.
Allan says there are 19 current emergency warnings in place and a further 16 watch and act notifications, particularly around Walwa, Longwood, Wonnangatta and Ravenswood.
It is thought more than 300,000 hectares of land has been burnt and 38,000 households and businesses are now without power as a result of the fire.
As fires are brought under control, impact assessments will begin to take place and that information will be released, Allan says.
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Man’s death not directly related to Ravenswood South fire, police say
Some more on the reports that a man was found dead – police have confirmed that a man has been found dead in his car near the Ravenswood South bushfire, but believe the death was not directly related to the fire.
Victoria police said in a statement that emergency services found him in his car, in his paddock, at about 4.45pm on Friday night. Detectives are investigating the death of the man, believed to be in his 60s, and police will prepare a report for the coroner. According to the statement:
At this early stage, the circumstances surrounding the man’s death are unknown however the death is not believed to be directly related to the nearby fire.
Local detectives, who weren’t able to attend the scene immediately due to the nearby fires, attended the scene Friday evening once the immediate area was deemed safe.
The property the vehicle was found in was not impacted by fire.
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Western Sydney readies for the heat
On extreme heat days, western Sydney is usually several degrees hotter than the city centre.
Libraries, community centres, cinemas and swimming pools offer much needed cool spaces for residents and tourists to escape the heat.
In Parramatta, the PHIVE is one such place.
Winnie Laio, a psychology student, says she does have air-conditioning at home, but it struggles in the heat, so she is spending the day at the hub.
If it gets really hot and sweaty at home then I’ve just been taking a cold shower and then putting some cold water on my clothes and then putting them on.
Yunita Ou says she walks to the PHIVE so that her daughter, Olivia, can enjoy the playpen and air-conditioning.
We have the fan and aircon at home but we came up to play since we cannot play at the park, obviously, since it’s too hot for the kids, so we came to the PHIVE.
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Sydney prepares to swelter
As the city anticipates the rising mercury, preparations have already begun.
Some local councils, such as Canterbury Bankstown, have extended opening hours for pools and libraries, providing the local community with places to cool down.
Zookeepers at Taronga zoo are making sure animals are able to cool down – with opportunities to swim, and treats “blood-sicles” – ice blocks made with meat, blood and water – for the lions.
The University of Sydney is running a pop-up cooling hub at Belmore Park to help prevent heat-illness during the extreme temperatures.
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Fire danger warnings for NSW
Heat and gusty winds are expected to bring elevated fire danger through eastern parts of NSW today, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting a maximum of 43C for Sydney, with temperatures expected to be even hotter in the western suburbs.
Extreme fire danger was expected throughout much of the state’s south-east – including greater Sydney, Illawarra Shoalhaven, southern ranges, Monaro alpine and the southern slopes, as well as Canberra, according to the NSW Rural Fire Service.
Total fire bans were in place for those districts as well as the central ranges, greater Hunter and far south coast.
Tasmania was also expecting elevated fire risk on Saturday, with the Tasmania Fire Service declaring a total fire ban for the state’s south and the Furneaux Islands.
The ACT has also declared a total fire ban.
Capital city forecast for Saturday:
Sydney: sunny, maximum 43C.
Canberra: windy, sunny, maximum 37C.
Darwin: showers, storm, maximum 32C.
Perth: mostly sunny, maximum 32C.
Melbourne: becoming windy, partly cloudy, maximum 27C.
Brisbane: shower or two, maximum 31C.
Adelaide: cloudy, maximum 24C.
Hobart: shower or two, maximum 21C.
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The Victoria state of disaster applies to the following areas:
Alpine Shire
Ararat Rural City
Colac Otway Shire
Corangamite Shire
East Gippsland Shire
Golden Plains Shire
Greater Bendigo City
Horsham Rural City
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort (Unincorporated)
Mansfield Shire
Mildura Rural City
Mitchell Shire
Moira Shire
Mount Alexander Shire
Murrindindi Shire
Pyrenees Shire
Strathbogie Shire
Towong Shire
Wellington Shire
Queensland 'better prepared than ever before' for floods, premier says
Queensland is better prepared than “at any other time in our history”, as it rides out a deluge, the premier, David Crisafulli, says.
Speaking to the ABC from the state’s emergency services complex, the premier says swift water rescue, police, firefighters, SES and ambulance officers are prepared.
I want Queenslanders to know we are better prepared than ever before.
The premier says “big rainfalls on the swollen catchments” are expected in north-west Queensland, with graziers in the region reporting about 40,000 live stock lost already.
That gives you an indication of the scale. That number will multiply many times over is my great fear.
Crisafulli says “a dozen councils” have already been made eligible for primary producer support, including fodder drops and small and family business support.
More will come. That is increased from $2m to $7m. More will come as needed. The fodder drops have kept animals alive as animals perished. There will be bacterial infections with animals in water.
We have to pick up the people, great Queenslanders, who represent us as a state. I want them to know that we stand ready to assist across the government.
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Man reportedly found dead and homes destroyed in Ravenswood fire
A person has reportedly died and homes have been destroyed in the Ravenswood fire.
The Bendigo Advertiser reports that the Ravenswood fire incident controller, Michael Masters, said in his latest update that “a number” of homes have been affected by the out of control fire, with firefighters having received reports of a death.
No details were provided about what has taken place.
Early reports from the ABC say that a man in his 60s was found dead in his vehicle in Ravenswood South but that his death was not believed to be directly related to the fire.
The situation is developing rapidly. The Guardian is working to confirm and will bring you all the latest as things develop.
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Man dies after being found with gunshot wound in western Sydney
Moving away from fire coverage for a moment, New South Wales police are expected to speak to reporters on Saturday morning to give an update after a man was shot in western Sydney.
Emergency services were called to a unit block at Merrylands at about 6.40am this morning after a 44-year-old man was found with a gunshot wound.
The man died despite efforts by police and paramedics at resuscitation.
A crime scene has been established and an investigation is under way, with members of the public who might have information or video footage encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers.
Det Acting Supt Tim Calman will speak to reporters at 10.30am.
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Heffernan says residents in fire-affected areas can expect cooler temperatures “in the high 20s to low 30s” with westerly winds, particularly across the Otway region.
Emergency services are concerned about wind speeds in the area, with speeds up to 80km expected, which will continue for most of the day.
Any areas of elevation – so particularly through the alpine regions – the wind speeds will be higher again, so any of those fires in the alpine regions, those far East Gippsland, yes, we can probably expect further easterly spread of those fires, with those embers being thrown well in advance of the fire front.
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Wind change is acting on Victorian bushfires, CFA chief warns
Westerly winds are acting on the Longwood fire as it continues to burn out of control, the Victorian Country Fire Authority chief, Jason Heffernan, says.
Heffernan is speaking to the ABC from the Victorian State Control Centre, giving an update on conditions affecting the fireground.
He says there are an estimated 37,000 people without power in the region and residents in affected areas should make sure to have battery-powered radios tuned to emergency broadcasters on Saturday.
Speaking about the Walwa fire, Heffernan says “we are still confronting that situation” as it is expected the fireground will start to be affected by westerly winds.
So that Walwa fire, which has been travelling in a south-easterly direction for most of the night and morning, will now travel easterly and the warnings have been updated.
People in that area, I need to you be really careful about which warning you are looking at and which direction you want to go, because we obviously want you to not drive into the path of the fire.
Heffernan says these same winds are also having an impact on a grassfire at Ravenswood.
That fire really spread rapidly late yesterday afternoon and then we saw that wind change come through. It has impacted the communities of Harcourt and continues to travel east after obviously crossing the Calder Highway. It is a quite a concerning situation at that fire in Harcourt and firefighters are actively working to contain that one.
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Victorian firefighters given access to defence force barracks accommodation
Firefighters with Victoria’s Country Fire Authority have been given access to Australian Defence Force barracks after a request for accommodation support, the prime minister says.
Once again, we see our Defence Force personnel providing that support, both through personnel but also through infrastructure.
The PM says the federal government is ready to support Victoria after a state of emergency was declared.
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Australians are facing extreme and dangerous weather conditions, PM says
The prime minister, Anthony Albanese, has spoken to reporters after a tour of the National Situation Room in Canberra on Saturday morning.
Australians across the country are facing extreme and dangerous weather conditions, with bushfires burning in multiple states, but particularly Victoria, and severe weather across far north Queensland and the north-west Queensland region. My thoughts are with the residents of these communities at this very difficult time.
The PM has praised rural and country fire services, volunteers, police and emergency coordinators for their efforts to prepare for this fire season.
He says that these preparations means responses “can be very fast”. He adds that he has spoken with the Victorian and Queensland premiers and will remain “in regular, ongoing contact” with both.
I want to specifically send my thoughts to those Victorians who have had the devastating news that they’ve lost their homes over the last 24 hours.
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The press conference is moving to questions now, with the premier providing more detail over the request for assistance by the Victorian Country Fire Authority.
He says a request has been made for additional strike teams, “as well as a number of aircraft and ancillary support” in the last 24 hours.
These aircraft have already been pre-positioned at the border in case the fires burning in Victoria cross the Murray.
In response to other questions, Minns says he is not aware of any requests for assistance from Queensland, which has been dealing with a cyclone.
Across the eastern seaboard, we work really closely with the other premiers, the other emergency services. And look, we’re all Australians. It’s everyone’s responsibility to fight a fire, or help with the cyclone when it occurs.
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NSW working to send more firefighting teams to Victoria
New South Wales is moving to send additional firefighting teams to Victoria after a request for assistance, the premier says.
There’s over 90 firefighters from NSW in Victoria. At the moment their agencies have asked for more strike teams. My understanding is the RFS is filling those gaps as quickly as possible and sending them across the Murray.
Minns says there are more than 600 firefighters in NSW ready to respond to incidents as they develop.
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NSW premier warns of ‘incredibly challenging day’ ahead
The New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, is speaking now and is encouraging people to “look after each other” and check in on each other.
It will be an incredibly challenging day for the health system, as well as the RFS and Fire and Rescue.
And we’re calling on the community to do their bit, and that means look after one enough, particularly the vulnerable, particularly the old and the young. Make sure that you look after your pets as well.
We do lose people on these incredibly hot days. People die as a result of extreme heat in Australia.
The premier says he’s also concerned for those attending 30 music festivals across the state and has encouraged attenders to make sure they are hydrated.
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NSW emergency services minister urges people to respect fire bans
The NSW emergency services minister, Jihad Dib, is seeking to reassure residents that the state government is prepared to respond rapidly to any fire spread.
On top of that, we’re also making sure that we support our brothers and sisters in Victoria, and really want to acknowledge the difficulty that they’re having, and our thoughts are with them.
Dib has called on residents not to take any risks and to respect fire bans, including no barbecues or welding, as “anything can happen very quickly”.
I want to reassure people we are doing our very best. We’re prepared as best as we possibly can. Obviously we’ll adapt to whatever the conditions are. We know that it’s hot. We know that it’s dangerous. We know that things will pop up. But I also know that our firefighters and all of our agencies are there, ready to go, ready to adapt.
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Rural Fire Service chief says NSW is prepared for bushfires
The New South Wales Rural Fire Service commissioner, Trent Curtin, says total fire bans are in place over much of NSW, with 44 fires burning across the state, but none of “very serious concern” at present.
We enter today in good condition in NSW, ready to fight bushfires that might start throughout the day.
Curtin says there is significant presence, with 600 firefighters, 50 aircraft, including four heavy aircraft and three large air tankers. He adds that there is additional aircraft available if needed.
If you live near the bush or anywhere near a risk area, you should activate your bushfire survival plan today and make sure you’re monitoring conditions through the media and through the Hazards Near Me app.
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We are expecting New South Wales premier, Chris Minns, and emergency services minister, Jihad Dib, will speak to the media in the next few minutes along since NSW Rural Fire Service commissioner, Trent Curtin, and NSW ambulance commissioner, Dominic Morgan.
We will bring you the latest as it happens.
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Multiple properties lost across different fire fronts, Allan says
Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, is also appearing on ABC News Breakfast as she does the media rounds after declaring the state of disaster in 18 government areas.
Allan says the government has been unable to confirm how many property losses there have been, as it hasn’t been safe for assessment teams to head out, but from on-the-ground reports and aerial surveillance, they know there have been “a number of properties that have been lost across a number of the different fire fronts”.
We know there’s been damage to stock, loss of stock, loss of crops and of productive areas, like around Harcourt, a prime apple-growing community. So those assessments will be undertaken and we will work with those families on what will be a long recovery journey ahead.
She reiterates today is “another difficult day” for firefighters, with continued wind across Victoria and heat in northern parts of the state.
If you are told to leave, please do so because we know that is the best way to save lives. It is also our way of supporting the firefighters who are out there on the frontline right now.
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Three people remain missing in Longwood fires, premier says
Jacinta Allan says three people who have been missing in the Longwood fires since yesterday afternoon remain unaccounted for.
The Victoria police deputy commissioner Bob Hill said yesterday that firefighters had spoken to the man, woman and child on Thursday morning and warned it was too late to leave the area. When crews returned later that afternoon, the house they had been standing in front of had been “completely destroyed”.
Allan says:
As soon as we get further details through Victoria police, we will be providing confirmation because I understand that people are anxious to know about how their friends and family and loved ones are going, and it’s also a reminder for people to check in, check in on your family and friends and neighbours, because this continues to be both a difficult and very dynamic time.
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Fire threat continues to be ‘very dangerous and difficult’, Victoria’s premier says
Victoria’s premier, Jacinta Allan, is appearing on the Today show after declaring a state of disaster in more than a dozen areas earlier this morning resulting from the ongoing bushfires.
Allan confirms there are 36 active fire fronts across Victoria today, spanning “pretty much all parts of the state”.
To give you a sense of the seriousness of these fires, there’s 19 emergency warnings and alerts out for those communities giving them advice to evacuate or leave because of the threat of the fire.
She says “thousands” of firefighters and emergency services have worked through the night as the fire threat continues to be “very dangerous and difficult”.
There has been a bit of a weather change. So whilst it’s not the extreme heat in southern parts of the state, in northern parts of the state, it continues to be hot. It continues to be windy.
Updated
Victorian premier declares a state of disaster in 18 local government areas
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has declared a state of disaster in 18 local government areas as the state battles an escalating bushfire crisis that has destroyed at least 10 homes, prompted evacuations and razed more than 50,000 hectares of bushland, Australian Associated Press reports.
Allan said the declaration overnight was in response to danger to life or property in the affected areas and “sends a clear message to those who have been advised to leave: if you can, you must”.
Tonight, I declared a State of Disaster, which gives our authorities additional powers to confront an emergency of extraordinary scale and danger. It's all about one thing: protecting Victorian lives. And it sends one clear message: if you have been told to leave - go.
— Jacinta Allan (@JacintaAllanMP) January 9, 2026
This… pic.twitter.com/fgeGjXNl3a
She said in a post on X that the decision gave agencies more powers to tackle the fires.
Tonight, I declared a State of Disaster, which gives our authorities additional powers to confront an emergency of extraordinary scale and danger. It’s all about one thing: protecting Victorian lives. And it sends one clear message: if you have been told to leave – go.
Three people remained missing in the dozens of fires burning on Friday amid a severe heatwave, in what state authorities described as the worst bushfires since the 2019-20 black summer blazes.
Those missing – two adults and a child – were unaccounted for on Thursday after fire destroyed their house in the hard-hit town of Longwood, about 50km north of Melbourne, authorities said.
In the nearby town of Ruffy, properties, including a school, were lost to fire and a local firefighter was hospitalised with third-degree burns to his hands.
About 230km east, a separate fire near the border town of Walwa, tore through a pine tree plantation.
The massive Longwood fire has burned more than 35,000 hectares while the blaze near Walwa has burned more than 17,000.
Both fires, among the fiercest raging across the state, were expected to burn uncontrolled for weeks, despite the efforts of hundreds of firefighters working in the field.
Updated
Good morning
Welcome to the Guardian’s live coverage of the heatwave that has engulfed much of Australia this past week, with conditions not seen since the deadly black summer in 2019-20.
The Victorian premier, Jacinta Allan, has declared a state of disaster in 18 local government areas and an alpine resort as the state battles an escalating bushfire crisis that has destroyed multiple homes, prompted evacuations and razed tens of thousands of hectares of bushland.
A total fire ban is in place for the entire state and three people remain unaccounted for, last seen on Thursday afternoon, as the Longwood bushfire continues to rage.
Sydney is bracing for temperatures to surpass 40C today – with western Sydney to swelter even more.
We’ll be bringing you all the latest coverage. Stay tuned – and stay safe.
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