Australia is grappling with a severe bushfire crisis, with the state of Victoria facing its most dangerous fire conditions in years. The fires, which erupted on Wednesday, January 7, 2026, have already consumed vast tracts of land, destroyed multiple homes, and left three people missing.
State of Emergency: Catastrophic Conditions Declared
Authorities have declared a state of high alert across Victoria. Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch confirmed that firefighters are battling 30 active blazes. The fire danger rating for the state on Friday, January 9, was set at "catastrophic," the highest possible level. This represents the worst fire conditions since the devastating 2019 Black Summer blazes.
"Today represents one of the most dangerous fire days that this state has experienced in years," Victoria’s state Premier Jacinta Allan told reporters. The crisis is fueled by an intense heatwave sweeping southern Australia, with temperatures forecast to hit 46 degrees Celsius in Victoria's north, coupled with damaging winds.
Scale of Destruction and Missing Persons
The damage is extensive and still being assessed. A major blaze near the town of Longwood in central Victoria has burned through more than 35,000 hectares (86,486 acres) of bushland. Commissioner Wiebusch stated this fire has destroyed community infrastructure, including multiple homes, a community centre, and a telephone exchange.
In a tragic development, Victoria Police Deputy Commissioner Bob Hill confirmed that two adults and a child are "unaccounted for" in Longwood. Firefighters had advised them to shelter in place a day earlier due to the extreme danger, but upon returning, found the home burnt down and could not locate the individuals.
Another significant fire near Walwa in north-east Victoria has grown to around 20,000 hectares (49,421 acres), primarily burning through a pine plantation. While this fire hasn't caused property loss yet, communities in its path remain at risk.
Community Impact and Nationwide Heatwave
The human cost is becoming painfully clear. In the small town of Ruffy, at least 20 homes were destroyed. CFA captain George Noye described the scene as devastating, with the main street looking "like a bomb's gone off." The town also lost a school, shearing sheds, and livestock.
The bushfire emergency coincides with a severe heatwave affecting much of the country. Sydney is forecast to hit 42 degrees Celsius on Saturday, while South Australia is also bracing for severe fire conditions. For the first time in six years, a total fire ban has been declared in the Australian Capital Territory, which includes the capital city of Canberra.
Country Fire Authority (CFA) chief officer Jason Heffernan has urged all Victorians, not just those near active fires, to remain on high alert. Many communities have been evacuated, and parks and campgrounds have been closed as a precaution. The situation serves as a stark reminder of the 2019 Black Summer fires, which killed 33 people and destroyed immense areas of southeastern Australia.
