Victoria declares state of disaster as bushfires rage across the state, family of three missing amid extreme heat

Victoria has been plunged into a state of disaster as dozens of fast-moving bushfires tear across the state under the most dangerous conditions seen since the Black Summer of 2019-20, leaving widespread destruction in their wake and a family of three unaccounted for.

More than 60 fires ignited in a single day as extreme heat, damaging winds, and volatile conditions overwhelmed emergency services, forcing mass evacuations and triggering urgent warnings for residents to seek shelter immediately.

With multiple blazes deemed “too late to leave,” firefighters are battling around the clock to protect communities as tens of thousands of hectares burn, homes and critical infrastructure are destroyed, and authorities warn the threat remains unpredictable and far from over.


The declaration followed a wave of new emergency warnings issued overnight across multiple locations, with residents urgently instructed to “take shelter now” as conditions rapidly deteriorated.

A cool change late Friday(January 9) lowered temperatures and allowed firefighters, after a full day of intense efforts, to downgrade the severity of several emergency-level bushfires.

An out-of-control grass fire at Ravenwood South triggered a “leave immediately” warning for nearby communities last night. However, authorities warn the situation remains volatile, with conditions capable of changing rapidly, and are urging residents to stay prepared.

The Longwood fire has scorched almost 150,000 hectares, destroying more than 20 homes, including a school, and forcing evacuations across dozens of towns.

The Walwa fire has burned more than 100,000 hectares in the state’s north-east as a total fire ban remains in place. Fire danger has eased to “High” statewide after yesterday’s “Catastrophic” conditions, with further relief forecast by Sunday.

A family of three is still missing after their Longwood East home was destroyed by fire, Victoria Police say.

"Those three people , we do not know at this point in time where they may be," Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill said. Emergency crews are unable to investigate due to ongoing danger in the area, and the trio remains unaccounted for.

Fears mount that the Longwood fire could reach Melbourne’s outskirts, while winds may push another blaze near Albury into NSW, prompting border firefighting support. Temperatures soared to 46.5°C in Walpeup and 44.4°C in Melbourne, marking the city’s hottest day since the 2019-20 Black Summer.

A severe heatwave continues across the Mallee, Wimmera, Central and South West, but conditions are expected to ease from the west this weekend.