Victoria is currently battling multiple severe bushfires across several regions, with authorities declaring a state of disaster on January 10, 2026. At least 130 homes have been destroyed, and over 300,000 hectares of bushland have burned in what officials are calling the worst fire conditions since the Black Summer wildfires of 2019-2020.

Active Fire Locations

The major bushfire zones currently threatening Victoria include: Central Victoria (Longwood/Ravenswood Area)

  • The Longwood fire has proven particularly devastating, destroying at least 30 structures and continuing to pose serious risks to communities near Alexandra, Yea, and Eildon
  • The Ravenswood fire caused the most extensive property damage, with at least 50 buildings destroyed—many concentrated in the town of Harcourt, approximately 35 kilometers south of Bendigo
  • The small community of Ruffy has been severely impacted, with up to 20 homes destroyed, including the school and general store

Otways Region (South-Western Victoria)

  • Two emergency-level fires are burning uncontrollably within the Great Otway National Park
  • The Cape Otway fire, located west of Apollo Bay, ignited near the Great Ocean Road and is advancing along Sandy Track in a southerly direction
  • The Carlisle River fire is out of control in two separate areas: near Kennedys Creek (progressing from Trotters Lane towards Bones Track) and near Irrewillipe (moving around Pipeline Road towards Irrewillipe East)
  • Evacuation notices have been issued for residents in the Otways region, with the Great Ocean Road closed between Apollo Bay and Lavers Hill

North-Eastern Victoria (Mount Lawson)

  • The Mount Lawson fire is traveling in a southerly direction, threatening communities including Burrowye, Granya, Bullioh, Shelley, Lucyvale, Cudgewa, and Colac Colac

Current Impact and Response

Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch reported that several bushfires were ignited by lightning overnight in both the Otways and Gippsland regions. The conditions are incredibly dangerous, with authorities having forecast catastrophic and extreme fire danger across the state—the worst fire danger Victoria has experienced since Black Summer.

As of Saturday afternoon, over 22,000 individuals were without electricity across Victoria, with nearly 20,000 of those affected in the eastern part of the state. Multiple emergency alerts remain active, and authorities are strongly urging residents in affected areas to evacuate immediately before conditions worsen.

The Longwood fire is particularly concerning due to its dynamic nature, spreading in multiple directions with communities including Creighton, Strathbogie, Merton, Yarck, Molesworth, and Alexandra potentially at risk.

TLDR

Multiple catastrophic bushfires are burning across Victoria in the Otways region (Cape Otway, Carlisle River), central Victoria (Longwood, Ravenswood, Harcourt), and the northeast (Mount Lawson). At least 130 homes have been destroyed, 300,000 hectares burned, and a state of disaster has been declared. Evacuation orders remain active for numerous communities. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.