Out-of-control blazes force mass evacuations across northern Victoria, with warnings of deadly escalation amid record heatwave.
INCIDENT:
As scorching temperatures fuel raging bushfires, Victorian authorities have closed a 74-kilometer stretch of the Hume Freeway and ordered immediate evacuations for dozens of communities on January 8, 2026. The Longwood fire, burning through 28,000 hectares, has already destroyed homes and threatens lives, while another blaze near Walwa adds to the peril. With catastrophic fire danger forecast for Friday, officials warn of inevitable spread, urging residents to flee now-potentially saving thousands from a repeat of Black Summer’s horrors.
FULL STORY:
The crisis escalated rapidly on January 7, 2026, when a wind change pushed the Longwood fire back toward the Hume Freeway, triggering initial evacuations for Longwood, Longwood East, Ruffy, Tarcombe, and Upton Hill. By January 8, the blaze had expanded to 27,000-28,000 hectares, forcing closures of the Hume Freeway-a vital artery between Melbourne and Sydney-between Seymour and Violet Town, a 74km stretch.
Emergency warnings proliferated throughout the day. At 9:23 PM on January 7, residents in Creightons Creek, Dropmore, Gobur, Gooram, Ruffy, Terip Terip, Caveat, Euroa, Highlands, Kanumbra, and Merton were told to take shelter. By early January 8, “leave immediately” orders extended to Avenel, Upton Hill, Locksley, Longwood, Ruffy, and more. A separate fire 25km west of Walwa prompted evacuations for Burrowye, Cudgewa, Guys Forest, and surrounding areas.
Property losses were confirmed by midday January 8: At least one residential home in Ruffy on Nolans Road was destroyed, belonging to homeowner Rebekah, who evacuated with her family the previous night. Authorities reported two structures lost overall, with assessments ongoing amid dangerous conditions.
Relief centers activated, including at Seymour Sports and Aquatics Centre, accommodating evacuees and small pets. V/Line train services were suspended, and regional roads like Creightons Creek Road, Longwood Ruffy Road, and Oak Valley Road remain closed.
CONTAXT & BACKGROUND:
Victoria’s bushfire season has ignited amid one of the state’s hottest heatwaves in years, with temperatures exceeding 40°C across southern Australia. The Longwood fire started near the Hume Freeway, but its exact cause remains unknown as crews prioritize containment. The Walwa fire burns in Mount Lawson State Park, moving south.
This event echoes the devastating 2019-20 Black Summer fires, which scorched over 1.5 million hectares in Victoria, destroyed 244 homes, and claimed five lives. Climate experts, like Associate Professor Andrew King from the ARC Centre of Excellence for the Weather of the 21st Century, link increased fire severity to climate change, noting it makes extreme weather more frequent.
Key players include CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan, who warned of “no chance” of controlling the Longwood fire under current conditions, and State Control Centre spokesperson David Nugent. Over 400 firefighters are deployed to Longwood alone, supported by aircraft and ground crews.
With Friday’s catastrophic rating-the highest level-across much of the state, fires could spread uncontrollably, endangering lives, wildlife, and infrastructure. Economic impacts include disrupted transport on the Hume Freeway, affecting freight and travel between major cities.