“Catastrophic” fire danger grips Victoria as out-of-control bushfires rage

A massive blaze near Longwood, around 150 kilometres north of Melbourne, has been burning at emergency level since Wednesday night and continues to spread as extreme heat and powerful winds intensify. Fire officials say conditions are expected to worsen on Friday, creating what could be the most dangerous fire threat the state has faced in years.

Emergency warnings are in place for dozens of towns, including Longwood, Ruffy, Highlands, Caveat, Terip Terip, Strathbogie, and Gooram, where residents have been told to take shelter immediately. Authorities say leaving now would be more dangerous than staying indoors.

Fire authorities are on high alert as large parts of Australia grapple with heatwave conditions. Photo: Collected

“You are in danger and must act immediately to survive. The safest option is to shelter inside. It is too late to leave,” the emergency alert states.

Communities located to the south and west of the fire have been ordered to evacuate while it is still safe to do so. Towns including Cathkin, Yarck, Molesworth, Ghin Ghin, Ancona, Fawcett, and Woodfield are among those urged to flee.

Emergency relief centres have been established at the Seymour Sports and Aquatics Centre and the Mansfield Youth Centre to support evacuees.

Several major roads have been closed, including sections of the Hume Freeway, the Maroondah Highway, and multiple local roads around Euroa and Yea, as fire crews battle to control the advancing flames.

The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast temperatures reaching 43 to 45 degrees Celsius, combined with damaging winds capable of rapidly spreading fires. Catastrophic fire danger warnings are in effect across large parts of Victoria, including North Central, Northern Country, the South West, and Wimmera, while extreme warnings cover Melbourne’s outer suburbs and much of regional Victoria.

All regional areas of Victoria are currently under “catastrophic” or “extreme” bushfire danger ratings. Photo: CFA.

Meteorologist Sarah Scully said heatwave conditions across Victoria and parts of South Australia are creating ideal conditions for uncontrollable bushfires.

Firefighters worked through the night attempting to slow the Longwood blaze, but Country Fire Authority chief Jason Heffernan said the fire grew again overnight and remains a serious threat.

Another major bushfire is burning in Mt Lawson State Park near Wodonga, close to the New South Wales border. Residents in Bungil, Walwa, Cudgewa, Koetong, Nariel Valley, and Colac Colac have been ordered to leave immediately. Evacuees are being directed to relief centres at the Upper Murray Event Centre in Corryong and the Tallangatta Memorial Hall.

Multiple roads in the region are closed or restricted to emergency vehicles as crews try to protect communities and infrastructure.

Emergency Services Minister Vicki Ward warned that “catastrophic” means uncontrollable and deadly conditions.

“Victoria is one of the most bushfire-prone places on Earth. We are facing fires that are unpredictable, fast-moving and extremely dangerous, with real risk to lives and property,” she said.

Authorities are also concerned that dry thunderstorms and lightning could trigger new fires, making the situation even more volatile.

With landscapes already parched by days of extreme heat, officials say any new ignition could quickly turn into a major emergency, stretching firefighting resources and placing more communities at risk.