Bushfires continue to burn across Victoria

By Kye Halford • January 28, 2026
Major bushfires continue to burn in Victoria, following a day of record temperatures and extreme fire danger across the state.

What we know:

  • An out-of-control bushfire continues to burn in the Otway Ranges, where blazes have claimed at least three homes with more remaining under threat (The Age).

  • Dozens of towns were ordered to evacuate the area immediately on Tuesday afternoon and evening after the fire built force following a cool change, while Great Ocean Road communities have been urged to remain on high alert.

  • Record temperatures were broken across south-east Australia on Tuesday, with Victoria recording its highest ever temperature of 48.9C in the towns of Walpeup and Hopetoun (SBS).

  • Chris Hardman, the chief fire officer at Forest Fire Management Victoria, told reporters that the state’s record-breaking heatwave was making it “incredibly difficult” for firefighters (BBC).

  • More than 25,000 households remain without power across the state this morning (The Age).

  • Victoria’s Energy Minister Lily D'Ambrosio attributed the mass outages to “a combination of bushfires burning out electricity assets, trees falling on poles and wires, and heat-related equipment failure” (ABC).
     
  • Read more: Cities aren’t safe from the next firestorm (TSP)
Share