Wind Change Worsens Otways Bushfires as Victoria Faces Extreme Fire Danger

Melbourne, January 27, 2026: A sudden wind change has dramatically worsened bushfire conditions in Victoria’s Otways region, creating severe challenges for firefighters and raising fears that multiple homes have been destroyed.

Authorities say the Carlisle River bushfire has intensified following the shift in wind direction on Tuesday afternoon, with gusts reaching up to 70 kilometres per hour. Several communities were placed under evacuation or shelter-in-place warnings as the fast-moving fire threatened towns including Gellibrand and Kawarren.

Unconfirmed reports suggest that at least three homes may have been destroyed near Gellibrand, while emergency services continue to battle six major bushfires burning across the state. Fire crews said the blaze broke through containment lines around 4:30 pm, just before the wind change, marking a critical turning point in the firefighting effort.

“Our crews are working extremely hard to protect assets around the Gellibrand community,” said Country Fire Authority chief agency commander Rohan Luke.

Forest Fire Management Victoria official Chris Hardman described the situation as the most dangerous period of the operation, warning that winds could intensify further. “The fire is running hard and fast following the wind change. Right now is the very worst period we’ll face,” he said.

Flames engulf the landscape as a bushfire threatens homes near Gellibrand in Victoria’s Otways on Sunday night.
(Photo: Geelong City Fire Brigade)

More than 1,000 properties in the affected area were told to evacuate earlier this week. Authorities urged residents to closely monitor emergency updates as conditions continued to evolve rapidly.

The fires have also impacted critical infrastructure. Barwon Water confirmed that the Gellibrand water treatment plant had been affected, warning that the town’s water supply could be unsafe and potentially run out. The utility said it was unable to enter the fire zone to refill water tanks due to dangerous conditions.

Meanwhile, extreme heat has compounded the crisis across Victoria. Temperatures exceeded 40 degrees Celsius statewide on Tuesday, with a new all-time record of 48.9°C recorded in Walpeup and Hopetoun in northern Victoria, marking the state’s worst heatwave since 2009.

Power outages affected more than 80,000 customers across Victoria as night fell, including parts of metropolitan Melbourne. Electricity distributor Jemena said the outages were caused by the extreme heat, with crews working to restore supply.

In the town of Lismore, near Camperdown, residents faced an anxious night as a fast-moving grassfire split into multiple fronts after the wind change and advanced towards the community. Residents were initially instructed to take shelter, though the emergency warning was later downgraded.

Local resident Virginia Elliot said she evacuated the area after seeing massive plumes of black smoke from her home. “A neighbour who works for the CFA called me and told me to leave immediately. That’s why I left,” she said.

Authorities warned that the bushfire threat remains severe, urging communities across Victoria to stay alert, follow emergency instructions, and prioritise safety as firefighting efforts continue.