Residents in multiple towns around Longwood in northern Victoria have been ordered to leave immediately as out-of-control bushfires continue to burn amid extreme heat and catastrophic fire danger conditions, forcing the closure of a key section of the Hume Freeway.
Emergency warnings were issued early Thursday morning for a rapidly escalating fire burning near Longwood, north of Seymour, with authorities warning that conditions are expected to worsen significantly throughout the day. The blaze, driven by extreme heat, strong winds and dry vegetation, has already cut off major transport routes and threatens several rural communities.
At approximately 6:00 am, the Country Fire Authority (CFA) issued a “Leave Immediately” warning for residents in Locksley, Longwood, Longwood East, Ruffy, Tarcombe and Upton Hill, advising people to evacuate without delay.
“Leaving immediately is the safest option before conditions become too dangerous,” the emergency warning stated. “Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.”
Authorities confirmed that the Hume Freeway has been closed between Violet Town and Avenel, significantly disrupting travel between Melbourne and regional Victoria. Residents attempting to evacuate have been advised to head south towards Seymour, while avoiding travel north towards Longwood. The Avenel–Longwood Road and Clarkes Road remain open for now.
A second emergency warning was later issued as fire crews warned the Longwood blaze is likely to extend southwards towards Ruffy, placing additional communities at risk. Residents in Avenel, Caveat, Dropmore, Highlands, Ruffy, Tarcombe and Terip Terip have also been instructed to leave immediately and seek shelter in Seymour or Yea.
“This warning has not been downgraded, as fire behaviour is expected to increase during the day and will affect communities south of the fire,” emergency services said. Areas south of a line drawn from Maggies Lane, Mount Monica, Tarcombe Road, Nolans Road and Buntings Hill Road are considered particularly vulnerable.
Meanwhile, an emergency warning for a separate bushfire burning west of Walwa, in Victoria’s northeast, has been downgraded to Watch and Act. That fire, burning within Mount Lawson State Park, is moving south towards Thologolong and Bungil. Residents in Berringama, Bullioh, Bungil, Burrowye, Darbyshire, Georges Creek, Granya, Guys Forest, Koetong, Lucyvale, Shelley and Thologolong have been advised to remain alert and monitor conditions closely.
“Conditions may change and get worse very quickly,” authorities warned. “If you are not prepared, you should leave now.”
In a more positive development, a fire west of Bendigo, near Moyreisk, Natte Yallock, Redbank and Stuart Mill, has been brought under control, allowing residents to resume normal activities.
The unfolding crisis comes as northern Victoria is under a total fire ban, covering the Mallee, Northern Country, North Central and North East districts, most of which are rated at Extreme Fire Danger. On Wednesday night, the State Control Centre escalated fire danger forecasts to Catastrophic for parts of the Wimmera, Northern Country, and North Central regions.
Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch warned that catastrophic fire danger represents the most severe conditions possible.
“A catastrophic fire danger rating means that any fire that starts will be uncontrollable,” Mr Wiebusch said. “If you are in an area of forecast catastrophic fire danger, leave early to an area with a lower fire risk.”
Mr Wiebusch described Friday as an exceptionally dangerous day for the state, noting that Victoria has not faced conditions of this severity since the Black Summer bushfires.
“We will have the whole state at a very high risk of extreme fire danger, and with dry lightning and strong winds forecast, it’s going to be a very difficult and challenging day,” he said.
The CFA continues to urge residents in affected areas to prioritise safety and evacuate early, warning that lives and property are at serious risk under catastrophic fire conditions.
