Victoria's firefighting authorities have issued a stark warning that the state's bushfire threat is far from over, despite a brief respite from milder conditions over the weekend. Communities across the state remain on high alert as 24 fires continue to burn, with ten of those considered fires of significant concern.
Statewide Firefronts and Community Threats
While conditions eased slightly on Saturday night, the reprieve is expected to be short-lived. Hot spots, shifting winds, and forecast heat in the coming weeks will continue to challenge firefighters and threaten towns. Chris Hardman, Chief Fire Officer at Victoria Forest Fire Management, emphasised the ongoing danger during a Sunday appearance on Sunrise.
"Even though the conditions are slightly milder today, that fire is still moving in the landscape and it can be extremely dangerous," Hardman stated. He warned that winds would stiffen in the afternoon, continuing to test fire crews.
The largest blaze, the Longwood fire in central Victoria, remains on the doorstep of communities including Bonnydoon, Lake Eildon, and Euroa. While its southwestern section is now under control, large areas on the northern and eastern flanks continue to burn out of control. Crews worked overnight to stop its spread toward Euroa, with smouldering hot spots and southwesterly winds gusting up to 40km/h posing a major reignition risk.
Multiple Regions Under Siege
The fire emergency is widespread. In the state's northeast, the Walwa fire has burned approximately 100,000 hectares and continues to threaten communities around Corryong. Temperatures in the low 30s and challenging winds are forecast for the area.
In Gippsland, the Dargo-Wanongada fire complex is threatening the township of Dargo. Meanwhile, in the Otways, fires at Carlisle River and Kennedy's Creek are expected to become more active with the arrival of the afternoon sea breeze. These Otways fires have forced the closure of the Great Ocean Road, while thick smoke blanketed Melbourne overnight, leading to poor air quality expected to persist on Sunday.
Among the remarkable survival stories emerging from the devastation, a 92-year-old man, his 82-year-old sister, and her 59-year-old daughter survived the Longwood fire by sheltering in a shipping container for two days with their pet cat before being rescued by police helicopter.
A Long and Dangerous Summer Ahead
Authorities warn that while progress is being made on some fronts—such as the Natimuk and Streatham fires expected to be contained soon—conditions are likely to deteriorate again. Hardman indicated that extreme heat could return as soon as January 18, reigniting dangerous fire weather across Victoria.
"It’s early in our summer. As soon as the 18th of January, we’re going to see that heat build up again, and we’re going to see these fires are so big, they are still going to be burning in the landscape at that time," he said. "It’s a long summer ahead, and we have many more challenging fire weather days ahead of us."
The fires have already destroyed approximately 50 homes. In fire-affected areas like Harcourt, near the Ravenswood fire south of Bendigo, tap water has been declared undrinkable due to infrastructure damage, with work underway to restore safe supplies. The human toll includes CFA First Lieutenant Tyrone Rice, who spent Friday fighting fires before losing his own property.
Authorities continue to urge all residents to remain vigilant, monitor conditions closely, and follow the advice of emergency services as this prolonged and dangerous fire season continues.
