Victoria, Australia, has experienced a severe bushfire season, with blazes affecting over 400,000 hectares of land, causing at least one fatality, and destroying nearly 900 structures, including over 250 homes. The fires, intensified by extreme heat and strong winds, prompted widespread evacuations, emergency declarations, and a significant multi-agency response. Discussions surrounding fire preparedness and the resourcing of emergency services have also emerged.
Overview of the Fires
The fires, active across multiple regions including central, north-east, and western Victoria, were characterized by authorities as unprecedented in their speed and scale, occurring earlier than the typical peak fire season which usually falls in February. Conditions in some areas were reported to exceed those seen during the 2009 Black Saturday fires. The extensive spread was fueled by a combination of dry conditions, significant grass growth from previous wet years that subsequently dried out under prolonged heat, and strong winds.
Timeline of Events
- Pre-January 6: Victoria experienced a period of dry conditions and below-average rainfall, followed by November rain that led to substantial grass growth. This vegetation dried out under sustained heat, creating conducive conditions for intense fires.
- January 6: Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch issued a warning about an impending severe heatwave, comparing conditions to those in 2019. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasted storms with limited rain but gusty winds, anticipating new fire ignitions. Temperatures were projected to reach 45-46 degrees Celsius by January 9.
- January 7: Melbourne recorded 41.1 degrees Celsius. Several bush and grass fires ignited across the state. The Walwa fire commenced near the Victoria-New South Wales border at Mt Lawson State Park, leading to immediate evacuation advisories for communities including Bungil, Granya, and Thologolong. The Longwood fire in central Victoria also began, with residents initially advised to shelter, then to evacuate.
- January 8: Authorities declared a catastrophic fire danger rating for January 9, the first such declaration since the 2019 Black Summer bushfires. A total fire ban was imposed statewide, and national parks were closed. Two dozen Victorian townships were urged to evacuate due to the uncontrolled Longwood and Walwa blazes. The Walwa fire generated its own weather system, including a pyrocumulonimbus cloud with lightning and thunder.
- January 9: Strong winds, reaching up to 125 km/h in some areas, and high temperatures intensified existing fires and sparked new ones.
- The Longwood fire spread south-easterly, impacting towns such as Merton, Yarck, Molesworth, Alexandra, and Ruffy, which experienced significant damage. Holiday destinations like Eildon were also among dozens of towns ordered to evacuate.
- The Harcourt fire started in Ravenswood, north of Harcourt, rapidly spreading, impacting the township and crossing the Calder Freeway, damaging the Bendigo rail line.
- Grassfires west of Ballarat affected Streatham, Carranballac, and Skipton.
- The Grass Flat blaze impacted Natimuk, west of Horsham.
- Two large fires were detected in the Great Otway National Park.
- Smoke and ash blanketed inner Melbourne suburbs.
- Following Days: Temperatures eased and winds decreased, allowing emergency services to establish containment lines. Damage assessments commenced, and the first fatality was confirmed. Warnings were gradually downgraded, though some emergency alerts persisted.
Impact and Damage Assessment
The fires resulted in extensive damage across Victoria:
- Fatalities: One confirmed fatality, identified as cattle farmer Maxwell Hobson, was found deceased near a burnt vehicle on Yarck Road at Gobur, linked to the Longwood fire. Another death in Harcourt was determined to be due to a suspected medical episode, not directly fire-related.
- Hectares Burned: Estimates of the total area burned ranged from over 350,000 hectares to more than 404,000 hectares of public and private land.
- Property Destruction: Over 700 to nearly 900 structures were destroyed, including approximately 228 to 250 homes.
- Longwood Fire Complex: Destroyed an estimated 90 to 173 homes and 150 to 243 outbuildings, burning over 137,000 hectares.
- Ravenswood and Harcourt Fire: Accounted for 47 to 54 homes and three businesses, including the Harcourt Cooperative Cool Store.
- Streatham Fire: Destroyed 15 to 18 homes and a total of 59 structures.
- Natimuk Fire: Impacted 17 to 30 homes and 18 to 40 outbuildings.
- Walwa Fire: Destroyed four to nine structures and affected over 102,000 hectares, including 10,000 hectares of pine plantation.
- Infrastructure: A 74-kilometer section of the Hume Highway between Seymour and Violet Town was closed. Rail infrastructure near Harcourt sustained damage, affecting train services. Power outages affected over 70,000 properties at the peak, with repair efforts anticipated to take weeks. Tap water in Harcourt was deemed unsafe for drinking due to contamination risks.
- Livestock and Wildlife: An estimated 15,000 livestock deaths, including thousands of sheep and hundreds of cattle, were reported. Widespread loss of wildlife was also observed, with volunteers and farmers engaged in euthanizing severely injured animals.
- Air Quality: Smoke and ash impacted air quality across many parts of Victoria, including metropolitan Melbourne, with some districts recording 'very poor' air quality.
Emergency Response
Thousands of firefighters and emergency service personnel, including over 200 interstate personnel and more than 70 aircraft, were deployed to combat the blazes. The Australian Defence Force provided logistical, accommodation, and catering support for emergency personnel. Thirteen relief centers were established across Victoria, providing shelter and support for evacuees and their animals, including at the Mansfield Showgrounds, which became an unofficial animal refuge. Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch cautioned against entering fire-impacted zones due to ongoing dangers.
Government Actions and Support
- Declarations and Warnings: A state of disaster was declared for 18 local government areas, and multiple emergency warnings and 'watch and act' notices were issued. A statewide total fire ban was in effect for several days.
- Financial Aid: Premier Jacinta Allan and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced over $100 million in combined state and federal support. This included:
- An initial $19.5 million in joint disaster recovery funding.
- An $82 million package for road restoration.
- Grants of up to $52,000 for uninsured homeowners for cleanup and rebuilding.
- Personal hardship payments of $1000 per adult and $400 per child for those significantly affected.
- An initial $50 million in support for farmers, including emergency fodder and assistance for livestock.
- $5 million allocated to waive tip fees for fire-affected communities.
- Statements: Premier Allan called for calm and defended the state's bushfire preparedness efforts, stating the government provided additional funding to emergency services. Prime Minister Albanese affirmed federal support and linked the increased frequency and severity of extreme weather events to climate change.
Investigations and Preparedness Discussions
- Fire Causes: Detectives are investigating the cause of the Longwood bushfire, focusing on whether sparks from a truck trailer on the Hume Freeway initiated the blaze. The coroner is investigating the death of Maxwell Hobson.
- Official Review: The Victorian government announced a review of the bushfire season by the Inspector-General of Emergency Management (IGEM), the first such task for the office since the 2019-20 Black Summer fires.
- Calls for Inquiry: Critics, including the United Firefighters Union secretary Peter Marshall, Wimmera grain farmer Andrew Weidemann (founder of the Across Victoria Alliance), and Country Fire Authority Volunteers Group president John Houston, advocated for a parliamentary inquiry to ensure greater accountability and transparency regarding fire preparedness and equipment.
- CFA Funding Debate: A dispute emerged regarding Country Fire Authority (CFA) funding. While Premier Allan and CFA leadership stated the budget had increased, figures published by the CFA indicated a reduction in the agency's grant income. Concerns were raised about the age of the CFA's truck fleet, with 230 vehicles reportedly over 30 years old. The CFA's annual report was also delayed in its publication.
- Roadside Vegetation Management: Discussions took place regarding roadside grass verges, with CFA recommendations for maintenance at 10 centimeters during high fire danger periods. Observations near Longwood indicated grass taller than this guideline. Opinions differed on the impact of grass length under extreme fire conditions.
Community Experiences
Residents faced immediate evacuation orders, with some choosing to stay and defend their properties. Many sought refuge in relief centers or with family and friends. Personal accounts detailed property destruction, the loss of homes and livelihoods, and the emotional toll on affected communities. Volunteer firefighters, including Damien Gallagher and Michael Harper, continued to battle blazes even after discovering their own homes had been destroyed. Community members collaborated to save properties and supported recovery efforts, including coordinating animal feed supplies.
Weather Context and Future Outlook
The fires occurred during one of Victoria's worst heatwaves in years, with temperatures consistently exceeding 40 degrees Celsius and wind gusts complicating firefighting efforts. While milder weather conditions followed, emergency services cautioned that the fire season was not over, with peak danger typically occurring in February. Authorities anticipate the fires will continue to burn for several weeks, and further hot, windy conditions could re-emerge later in January.