Bushfires could spread in catastrophic conditions

POSTED:

8 January 2026

Fire and weather conditions forecast on Friday will make bushfires burning near Longwood and at Mount Lawson extremely dangerous for people who live, work or are holidaying in these areas.

Friday’s fire danger will be the worst across Victoria since Black Summer in 2019-20. Catastrophic and Extreme Fire conditions have been forecast across the state.

The two attached maps show the potential impact areas of the fires in the next 24 hours.

The fires shown in these maps are currently burning in the grey area displayed. Emergency services are concerned about conditions forecast for Friday 9 January 2026 and the potential for the fires to spread significantly.

People under the warning areas of the Longwood and at Mount Lawson fires should leave the area immediately immediately in line with the warnings issued on VicEmergency.

These maps represent the potential spread of fire in a worst-case scenario.

If you are in the wider risk area identified in the map, you must activate your bushfire survival plan. Leaving early is always the safest option to protect your life.

The Longwood fire is incredibly dynamic, with the fire spreading in multiple directions. There are multiple possibilities for which way the fire could travel.

Communities that could be impacted by fire front or embers in the next 24 hours include: Creightons Creek, Strathbogie, Merton, Yarck, Molesworth, Alexandra and surrounds.

The Mount Lawson fire is currently travelling in a southerly direction.

Communities that could be impacted by this fire include: Burrowye, Granya, Bullioh, Shelley, Lucyvale, Cudgewa and Colac Colac.

Communities in these areas are urged to leave early, tonight, 8 January or no later than 7am on 9 January. Be sure to let your family and friends know where you are going or use Register.Find.Reunite to ensure that emergency services know you’re safe.

Avoid any travel through bushland areas where possible.

It is vital to take action to protect your life. Your life may depend on the decisions you make.

Fire safety is a shared responsibility.

	Evacuation An evacuation is recommended or procedures are in place to evacuate.
	Emergency Warning You are in imminent danger and need to take action now. You will be impacted.
	Watch and Act / Warning An emergency is heading toward you. Conditions are changing and you need to take action now to protect yourself and your family.
	Advice An incident is occurring or has occurred in the area. Access information and monitor conditions.
	All Clear Emergency activity in the area has subsided and is no longer a danger to you.
	Community Update Specific information and updates for affected communities regarding a particular event or incident.
	Warning Area Colour area shows the predicted warning area at the time of issue. This colour can be yellow (Advice), orange (Watch & Act / Warning), red (Emergency Warning) or red line with a grey fill (Recommendation to Evacuate)

	Fire - Not Yet Under Control The reported location of a fire. This may be a bushfire, grassfire, building fire, fire alarm or non-building fire. The location of the icon shows where the fire has started but does not show how far it has spread.
	Fire - Contained, Under Control, or Safe The reported location of a fire. This may be a bushfire, grassfire, building fire, fire alarm or non-building fire. The location of the icon shows where the fire has started but does not show how far it has spread.
	Planned Burn The general location of a planned burn that is currently underway on public land. Firefighters are managing the burn but flames and smoke may be visible. Read More (external link opens in new window) Note: In most cases, the location of the icon shows the starting point of the planned burn.
	Flood Indicates the location of reported flooding that may be impacting on houses, roads, property and other infrastructure. Flooding may be caused by rain, river overflow, tidal surges, or dam failure. The depiction of an area communicated in a Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning including Flood Watch, Minor Flood, Moderate Flood and Major Flood.
	Vehicle Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a car or other motor vehicle and wash aways.
	Aircraft Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a plane, helicopter or other aircraft.
	Rail Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a train or tram.
	Marine Accident The reported location of an accident or incident involving a ship, boat or other watercraft.
	Rescue The reported location of a person trapped as a result of a industrial or recreational accident, trench or structure collapse, or a similar incident.
	Hazardous Material The reported location of a spill or leak of a hazardous liquid, gas or solid. This could include chemical, radiological, biological materials, a petrol or oil spill, a ruptured gas main or an industrial leak. Note: In most cases, the location of the icon depicts where the hazardous material is reported to be located and may not show how far it has spread.
	Earthquake An earthquake or other land-based seismic event has been recorded and reported by Geoscience Australia (external link opens in new window)
	Tsunami A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for a Tsunami in the area.
	Landslide The location of a reported landslide event.
	Storm A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for thunderstorms, hail and/or blizzards in this area.
	Tornado/Cyclone A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for a tornado or cyclone in the area.
	Damaging Winds A Bureau of Meteorology (external link opens in new window) warning has been issued for strong or damaging winds in the area.
	Building Damage A request has been made for assistance to help make a damaged building or structure safe.
	Tree Down (traffic hazard) A request has been made for assistance to remove a tree or branch that has fallen in the area – it may be blocking or impacting a path, track or roadway.
	Fallen Power Lines A request has been made for assistance to remove a fallen power pole or power lines in the area.
	Medical / Human Health The reported location of a human health incident or a request for medical assistance.
	Animal Health The reported location of an animal health incident or a request for animal rescue.
	Oiled Wildlife The reported location of Oiled Wildlife or a request for animal rescue (Oiled).
	Animal Plague Reported location of vertebrate pest plague such as rats, rabbits. Read more (external link opens in new window)
	Insect Plague Reported location of an insect plague such as locusts. Read more (external link opens in new window)
	Dam Failure The reported location of a dam failure.
	Shark Sighting Reported location of a shark sighting. This is likely to result in a beach closure by Life Saving Victoria
	Water Pollution The reported location of polluted waterways either inland or marine.
	Plant Health The reported location of a significant plant health or disease incident.
	Other This could be an equipment fault, inspection, trivial call, or an operation to assist another agency.

	Total Fire Ban A Total Fire Ban is currently in force for this area. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Road Closed / Affected There is a partial or full road closure at this location. Note: Not all road issues are reported on this site. Further information may be available from VicRoads (external link opens in new window) .
	Rail Disruption Rail services have been affected. This may result in cancellations or delays. Further information may be available from Public Transport Victoria (external link opens in new window) .
	Airport / Airspace Restrictions Air services have been affected. This may result in cancellations, delays or closure of airspace.
	Port Closure / Waterway Restrictions Services or access have been affected. This may have resulted in a partial or full closure and may cause cancellations or delays. Further information may be available from the Port of Melbourne (external link opens in new window) .
	Power Outage A power outage has occurred in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant power company. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Gas Outage A gas outage has occurred in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant gas company. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Water Outage / Affected Water has been affect or is unavailable in this area. Further information may be available from the relevant water provider. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Park / Forest Closure There is a full or partial park closure at this location. Further information may be available from Parks Victoria (external link opens in new window) .
	Beach Closure The beach has been closed in this location. Closures could be in relation to weather, dangerous conditions or shark sightings.
	School Closure Services at an education facility have been affected. This may have resulted in a partial or full facility closure. Further information may be available from the particular education facility or Department of Education and Training (external link opens in new window) .
	Other - Closed / Restricted Access There is a partial or full closure at this location. This could be affecting a public space, sporting facility or commercial space.

	Community Meeting / Information Point Shows the location of community meetings or information points to help keep the public informed during emergencies. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Refuge / Relief Centre The location of an established Community Fire Refuge or Relief Centre to assist people impacted by an emergency.
	Neighbourhood Safer Place Location of a designated Neighbourhood Safer Place. This is a place of last resort when all other fire plans have failed. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Community Document Planning and preparation information, such as Community Information Guide (CIG) or Local Flood Guides. These guides are a key source of emergency information for the community. Read more (external link opens in new window) .

	Cluster Icon There are multiple warnings or incidents in this location and you will need to select the icon or zoom in to display them all.
	Incident Area Depicts the extent of an area impacted by an incident at a point in time. While this information will be updated regularly it may not represent the current extent of the impact.
	Fire Danger Ratings Displays the forecast Fire Danger Rating. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Rain Radar The radar map overlay shows the location of rain using different colours to depict rainfall intensity. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Wind Direction Shows the location's current wind direction and speed. Read more (external link opens in new window) .
	Thunderstorm Tracker The Thunderstorm Tracker (external link opens in new window) map overlay shows the location of storm cells using different colours to depict rainfall intensity.

Media Releases

Bushfires could spread in catastrophic conditions