The Otways fire is escalating into a serious crisis, putting lives and properties at risk as temperatures reach alarming highs.
As of January 24, 2026, at 3:30 PM, residents in certain areas of the Otway Ranges have been given urgent warnings that it is now too dangerous to evacuate, and they must seek immediate shelter from a bushfire that ignited on January 7 and has flared up dramatically due to the extreme heat.
Individuals residing in six forest towns located south-west of Colac—namely Beech Forest, Carlisle River, Charleys Creek, Ferguson, Gellibrand, and Wyelangta—are advised by Forest Fire Management Victoria to stay indoors for their safety, according to their latest alerts.
The fire, which is the northernmost of two active blazes within Otways National Park, is progressing from the junction of Carlisle River Road and Walls-Skinner Track and moving southward. This situation poses a direct threat to both homes and personal safety, emphasizing that it is now far too late for any residents to leave the area. Access roads within the emergency zone are currently closed.
Firefighters report that the blaze has breached containment lines on a day marked by extreme fire hazards in the south-western region, where temperatures are anticipated to escalate to a staggering 39 degrees Celsius in nearby Colac. Over 30 firefighting vehicles are actively engaged in combating the fire, which has already scorched more than 5,000 hectares of national park over the course of two and a half weeks.
Meanwhile, another fire located in the national park near Kennedy’s Creek remains under control, having consumed over 3,000 hectares without breaching containment measures.
Today marks a total fire ban across Victoria, with the Country Fire Authority also announcing an additional total fire ban for Northern Country, North Central, North East, and East Gippsland regions this coming Sunday.
The soaring temperatures have led to significant disruptions, including the suspension of play at the Australian Open on all outdoor courts and the closing of roofs in indoor stadiums to protect players and spectators alike.
In subsequent updates, officials indicated that aircraft and emergency response teams would remain active in the area throughout the afternoon and into the evening. A predicted wind change around 5 PM is expected to shift the fire's direction, potentially pushing it north towards Barongarook.
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