• Victorians urged to evacuate as massive fire burns through the Otways, Australia

    A large out-of-control bushfire burning near Carlisle River and Gellibrand in Victoria’s Otways region has forced authorities to issue evacuation warnings for more than 1 100 properties. The fire, which started west of Gellibrand on January 10, has burned approximately 9 400 ha (23 200 acres) of forest and farmland by Monday afternoon (LT) January 26, 2026. Emergency Victoria urged residents and visitors in affected towns to leave before sunset due to forecast catastrophic fire conditions expected on January 27.

  • State of Disaster declared for the first time since 2020 as bushfires destroy over 130 structures in Victoria, Australia

    A fast-moving bushfire crisis has prompted the Victorian Government to declare a State of Disaster for the first time since 2020, on January 10, 2026, with over 300 000 ha (741 000 acres) being scorched across the state under extreme heat and high winds. At least 130 structures have been destroyed, and thousands remain under evacuation orders, with conditions forecast to remain dangerous in the coming days.

  • Cervantes bushfire impacts evacuation routes, Western Australia

    A dangerous bushfire continues to threaten Cervantes, a coastal town about 200 km (124 miles) north of Perth, as of Thursday, November 28, 2024. Emergency warnings remain in place for Cervantes, Wedge Island, Grey, Cooljarloo, and parts of Nambung in the Shire of Dandaragan. Over 43 000 ha (105 255 acres) of land have already been burned since the fire started on November 25.

  • Thousands urged to evacuate as wildfire rages near Ballarat, Victoria

    An emergency warning has been issued for 28 communities west of Ballarat, Victoria, as residents are urged to evacuate due to an out-of-control bushfire. The fire, which ignited along Bayindeen-Rocky Road, is being fought by 1 000 firefighters with support from 24 aircraft and 100 vehicles.