Authorities in Victoria have issued a dire warning to residents and travellers as southern Australia braces for its most dangerous fire conditions since the 2019–20 “Black Summer.” On Thursday, January 8, 2026, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) declared a state-wide Total Fire Ban for Friday, January 9, as a relentless heatwave pushes temperatures toward 45°C across much of the state.
The threat is being driven by a “severe and unstable air mass” that has already fueled major blazes, forcing the closure of the Hume Highway—the primary artery between Sydney and Melbourne—and triggering “Leave Immediately” orders for thousands.
The “Worst Since Black Summer”: Friday’s Forecast
Emergency Management Victoria has escalated fire danger ratings to Catastrophic for four key districts: the Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central, and South West. The rest of the state remains under an Extreme rating.
| Fire District | Rating | Required Action |
| Wimmera / North Central | Catastrophic | Leave tonight or early morning. Conditions are not survivable. |
| South West / Northern | Catastrophic | Do not wait for a warning. Enact your bushfire plan immediately. |
| Greater Melbourne / Central | Extreme | Monitor VicEmergency app. Be ready to leave at short notice. |
Current Conflict: The Hume Highway Closure
The Hume Highway remains partially closed between Violet Town and Avenel as firefighters battle an out-of-control 25,000-hectare blaze near Longwood. The fire is so intense it has begun to generate its own weather system—a pyrocumulonimbus cloud—which is producing dry lightning and erratic winds, further complicating containment efforts.
- Evacuations: Residents in Longwood, Ruffy, Tarcombe, and Avenel have been told that staying to defend property is “not an option.”
- Asset Losses: Preliminary reports indicate that at least two homes and several outbuildings have already been destroyed in the Longwood area.
- Border Fires: A second major blaze at Mount Lawson State Park, spanning over 10,000 hectares, is threatening communities along the Victoria-NSW border near Walwa.
Mass Closures and Public Safety
In an unprecedented preemptive move, Parks Victoria has closed all national parks in high-risk zones, including the Grampians, the Dandenong Ranges, and major sections of the Great Ocean Road. Campers were ordered to evacuate these areas by Thursday afternoon, with officials bluntly stating that the conditions expected on Friday are “not survivable” for those caught in the open.
“Our job is to help people tomorrow. We might not be able to. That’s difficult to say, but it’s real,” warned CFA District Officer Greg Murphy. “Do not plan to defend your home on Catastrophic days. Even well-prepared homes cannot withstand these conditions.”
The Heatwave’s “Silent Killer”
Beyond the flames, the Department of Health has issued a high-level Heatwave Warning. With Melbourne forecast to hit 41°C and inland regions potentially reaching 48°C, the risk of heat-related illness is extreme. Residents are urged to check on vulnerable neighbors and stay hydrated as the state enters its most challenging 24-hour period of the year.
