Victoria’s Otways Region Battles Catastrophic Bushfires: Evacuations, Devastation, and a Community in Crisis

As January 2026 unfolds, Australia finds itself in the grip of a devastating bushfire season, with Victoria’s Otways region at the epicenter of a harrowing struggle. Emergency services are battling multiple out-of-control blazes, prompting urgent evacuation orders and leaving a trail of destruction that underscores the sheer ferocity of these natural disasters. The situation, described by local officials as ‘crisis, absolutely,’ has seen communities pushed to their limits, grappling with both immediate danger and the profound grief of loss.

Across Victoria, the numbers paint a grim picture: more than 100 buildings have been destroyed, with some estimates rising to over 130 structures across the state, and 300,000 hectares burned. This marks the worst fire conditions since the infamous Black Summer bushfires, as stated by Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan, who has declared a state of emergency in 18 local government areas and an alpine resort. The human toll is palpable, with a man in his 60s found dead near a fire ground, though his death was not directly fire-related, adding to the community’s anguish. Mercifully, three people reported missing after their house was destroyed were found safe, a small beacon of relief amidst the widespread devastation.

Otways Under Siege: Evacuations and Unpredictable Flames

The Great Otway National Park, a jewel in Victoria’s southwest, has become a battleground against two primary emergency-level fires. One blaze, originating near the Great Ocean Road on Cape Otway, west of Apollo Bay, initially traveled southeast from the Sandy Ridge Track before being downgraded by authorities by Saturday evening. However, the more volatile Carlisle River fire continues to pose an immense threat. This out-of-control inferno, ignited by lightning overnight, is burning in multiple locations, moving from Trotters Lane in a northeasterly direction towards Gellibrand and Kawarren, and near Irrewillipe, around Pipeline Road, heading towards Irrewillipe East. Authorities have warned that this fire is actively moving towards properties, intensifying the urgency of evacuation efforts.

Colac Otway Shire CEO Andrew Tenni conveyed the gravity of the situation to ABC News, stating it was ‘looking pretty interesting at the moment’ as strong northerly winds pushed the fire towards the Victorian town of Otway. Residents in the path of the Carlisle River fire, particularly around Carlisle River itself, have been advised to head north to relief centers established at the Colac Showgrounds and the Colac Neighbourhood Centre. These centers are not only offering shelter but also essential provisions like food, water, and crucially, power for people to charge their phones and maintain contact with loved ones and emergency updates via the VicEmergency app. The Great Ocean Road has been closed between Apollo Bay and Lavers Hill, with further closures possible, highlighting the extensive reach of the fires and the challenges faced by emergency responders.

Beyond the Otways: A State-Wide Crisis

While the Otways grapple with immediate threats, other regions across Victoria are also reeling from the impact of these catastrophic fires. Harcourt, in central Victoria, has been particularly hard-hit, with the Ravenswood fire razing at least 50 structures. Michael Masters, the incident controller for the Ravenswood fire, described Friday as a ‘tough day,’ with winds exceeding 100 kilometers per hour fanning the blaze across the Calder Freeway. Despite efforts, Harcourt residents were unable to return home on Saturday, as safety assessments of trees and buildings were still underway. The Mount Alexander mayor, Toby Heydon, confirmed that while most public buildings in Harcourt were saved, the focus was already shifting to recovery, with a recovery center slated to open in Castlemaine.

Further afield, the Longwood fire in central Victoria has confirmed the loss of at least 30 buildings, with aerial assessments continuing. This fire continues to threaten communities, with multiple emergency warnings in place near towns including Alexandra, Yea, and Eildon. Farmers in these areas face a heartbreaking reality, as Victorian Farmers Federation president Brett Hosking noted the assessment of livestock losses and damage to feed and agricultural machinery. ‘We are assessing livestock that are still alive, but badly injured. In many cases they’re having to be euthanised,’ Hosking told ABC Radio Melbourne, painting a stark picture of the agricultural devastation. The Natimuk fire near Horsham also saw approximately 20 structures destroyed, underscoring the widespread nature of this disaster.

The human stories from these affected communities are profound. Annebelle Cleeland, the Nationals MP for Euroa, speaking to ABC, described her community as being in ‘crisis, absolutely,’ cut off, isolated, and fighting. Her own sister lost most of her property. ‘We’re in fight mode,’ Cleeland stated, capturing the raw determination of residents who are running on adrenaline, facing shortages of fuel and water, and witnessing a scale and ferocity of fire that even seasoned firefighters, some with 40 years of experience, have never encountered. Communication blackouts, like those in Longwood, further compound the challenges, leaving residents without phone reception, power, or water.

The Broader Context: Climate Change and Preparedness

Against this backdrop of immediate crisis, the political discourse has inevitably turned to the long-term factors contributing to such extreme events. The Greens have unequivocally labeled these catastrophic bushfires a ‘climate disaster,’ with acting leader Sarah Hanson-Young asserting that conditions have been exacerbated by ongoing fossil fuel extraction and consumption. The party has called for an end to coal and gas approvals and subsidies, arguing that these industries should bear the cost of protecting communities and repairing the damage caused. ‘Make no mistake, this is a climate disaster. These are the worst fire conditions since Black Summer, and they’re made worse with each coal and gas mine that is opened,’ Hanson-Young stated, linking the present devastation to broader climate policies.

While the focus remains on immediate response, preparedness efforts are also under scrutiny. Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan praised communities for following evacuation advice, acknowledging the difficulty of leaving one’s home ‘not knowing when or what you will return to.’ This proactive response, she emphasized, ‘has saved lives.’ Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch highlighted that many of the bushfires were started by lightning overnight, a stark reminder of the unpredictable nature of these events. The coordination between local councils, incident control centers, and state government, as described by Mount Alexander mayor Toby Heydon, is crucial in managing a dynamic and rapidly evolving situation.

The scale of the challenge is immense. Over 22,000 people across Victoria were without power as of Saturday afternoon, with nearly 20,000 of those in eastern Victoria. Roads remain closed, and essential services are stretched. While a cool change in conditions on Saturday offered a brief reprieve to firefighters in Victoria, the threat remained strong, with westerly winds pushing existing fire fronts east to threaten additional communities. Meanwhile, New South Wales also faced an ‘incredible threat’ with fire bans and 53 bushfires still burning, 10 of which were uncontained, as warned by NSW Premier Chris Minns. This widespread crisis underscores the interconnectedness of Australia’s landscape and the escalating challenges posed by extreme weather events.

The January 2026 bushfire crisis across Victoria, particularly in the Otways, serves as a stark and painful reminder of Australia’s inherent vulnerability to extreme weather events, exacerbated by a changing climate. The sheer scale of destruction, coupled with the profound human and environmental toll, demands not only an immediate, robust emergency response but also a critical re-evaluation of long-term strategies for land management, community preparedness, and climate action to mitigate the escalating risks of such catastrophic events in the future.