Victoria is facing a terrifying crisis as bushfires rage across the state, with the situation escalating to catastrophic levels. Here's the latest on this dire situation:
The Current State of Emergency:
- The Longwood fire rages on, prompting urgent evacuations in multiple northern locations. It's a race against time as the fire remains uncontrolled.
- Victoria is under a total fire ban, with several areas facing catastrophic fire danger. The Wimmera, South West, Northern Country, and North Central fire districts are at the highest risk.
- The message is clear: leave bushfire risk areas immediately. The potential loss of life is a stark reality if fires ignite and spread.
- All national parks in Catastrophic Fire Danger areas will shut down on Friday, impacting popular destinations like the Grampians, Otways, and attractions along the Great Ocean Road.
Impact on Transportation:
- V/Line has taken drastic measures, canceling all train services on nine lines and extensive coach services. See the full list of affected routes here (https://www.vline.com.au/Service-Changes/Unplanned-Disruption-Webpages/2026/01-Jan/Catastrophic-Fire-Danger).
- Ambulance Victoria is also taking action, urging residents to seek alternative care services as they withdraw paramedics from high-risk areas. More details here (https://www.ambulance.vic.gov.au/red-escalation-ambulance-services-across-victoria).
- Firefighting efforts are being bolstered by dozens of firefighters from New South Wales, joining Victorian crews to combat the blazes.
Road Closures and Train Disruptions:
- Authorities are pleading with residents to avoid non-essential travel, emphasizing the extreme bushfire risks. Emergency services are stretched thin, focusing on battling fires and aiding the vulnerable.
- Numerous roads surrounding the fires are closed, causing significant disruptions. Residents are advised to stay informed.
- Around the Longwood fire:
- Hume Fwy is closed between Violet Town and Seymour.
- Campbell St and Cliftons Streets in Euroa are inaccessible.
- Faithfull Rd and Hume Fwy, as well as Tarcombe Rd and Hume Fwy, are blocked.
- Maroondah Hwy is closed between Yea and Maindample.
- Near the Walwa fire:
- Murray Valley Highway is closed between Granya Road and Annandale Road, and also between Lucyvale Road and Cudgewa Valley Road (local traffic only).
- Emergency vehicles only on Murray Valley Highway between Annandale Road and Lucyvale Road, Shelley Road, and Murray River Road between Granya Road and Jingellic Road intersections.
- Access to Corryong and Albury/Wodonga via NSW roads is possible at river crossings in Tintaldra, Towong, and Bringenbrong, but not at Jingellic.
- V/Line has canceled all train services on nine regional lines, including Albury, Ararat, Bendigo, Echuca, Maryborough, Seymour, Shepparton, Swan Hill, and Warrnambool, without replacement buses.
- Coach services to and from Ararat and Ballarat stations in the Wimmera region, as well as Adelaide to Bendigo, are canceled.
- No coach services will operate through the North Central, North Country, and South West fire districts, even on parts of the route outside the affected areas.
- Extreme heat timetables are in effect for the Ballarat and Geelong lines.
Latest Evacuation Warnings:
- The situation is dire, with residents across Victoria urged to stay alert as catastrophic and extreme bushfire conditions threaten to worsen already uncontrolled fires.
- Two major fires, one in Longwood and another near Walwa, continue to burn.
- For the Longwood fire:
- LEAVE IMMEDIATELY: Cathkin, Caveat, Ghin Ghin, Highlands, Kanumbra, Killingworth, Koriella, Limestone, Molesworth, Whanregarwen, Yarck, Ancona, Fawcett, Gooram, Merton, Strathbogie, Strathbogie South, Woodfield.
- PREPARE TO LEAVE: Acheron, Limestone, Taggerty, Whanregarwen, Yea, Alexandra, Devils River, Fawcett, Lake Eildon, Maintongoon, Barjarg, Bonnie Doon, Creek Junction, Dry Creek, Maindample, Mansfield, Tallangallook, Too-rour.
- TAKE SHELTER NOW: Caveat, Creightons Creek, Dropmore, Gobur, Gooram, Highlands, Kanumbra, Kelvin View, Locksley, Longwood, Longwood East, Ruffy, Strathbogie, Tarcombe, Terip Terip, Upton Hill.
- WATCH AND ACT: Acheron, Limestone, Taggerty, Whanregarwen, Yea.
- For the Walwa fire:
- LEAVE IMMEDIATELY: Bungil, Walwa, Cudgewa and nearby areas, Koetong, Colac Colac, Nariel Valley and surroundings.
- WATCH AND ACT: Biggara, Corryong, Tintaldra, Tom Groggin, Towong, Towong Upper.
- STAY INFORMED: Bellbridge, Bethanga, Bullhead Creek, Bullioh, Charleroi, Dartmouth, Ebden, Eskdale, Fairyknowe, Fernvale, Georges Creek, Granite Flat, Huon, Jarvis Creek, Little Snowy Creek, Mitta Mitta, Noorongong, Old Tallangatta, Penny Flat, Sandy Creek, Talgarno, Tallandoon, Tallangatta, Tallangatta East, Tallangatta South, Tallangatta Valley, Tom Groggin, Yabba.
But here's where it gets controversial: with the fires still burning, some are questioning the timing of these evacuations. Are these warnings coming too late? And this is the part most people miss: the impact on local businesses and tourism. The closure of national parks and the cancellation of events like the Mountain To Surf race will undoubtedly have economic consequences.
Stay tuned for live updates throughout the day as we bring you the latest on this unfolding crisis. Remember, your safety is paramount. Heed the warnings and stay informed. And feel free to share your thoughts in the comments: are these measures enough, or could more be done to prevent such devastating fires in the future?
