If you plan on visiting the state of Victoria in Australia, your travels may be affected by as many as a dozen major wildfires which have been burning out of control in January of 2026.
Wildfires in Victoria in Australia: January 2026 Travel Alert
Thousands of firefighters have been battling multiple catastrophic bushfires that are out of control across Victoria after winds worsened conditions across the state. Airlines, railroad operators, and road authorities had been forced to activate emergency plans, which led to delayed flights and closed highways. Smoke reduced visibility at Melbourne Tullamarine Airport and Avalon Airport, which caused rolling delays. The smoke was so intense that it even reportedly traveled as far as New Zealand.
At least one fatality has been reported.
A State of Disaster was officially declared by Jacinta Allan, who is the premier of the state of Victoria.
The following fires are burning at emergency level:
- Longwood fire in central Victoria, which has been described as catastrophic
- Walwa-Mount Lawson fire in the northeast part of the state, where an emergency warning has been issued
- Carlisle River fire in Great Otway National Park around the Great Ocean Road
Approximately 300 structures have been destroyed by the fires, which resulted in dozens of people losing their homes. At least than 30 fires had razed greater than 865,000 acres, destroyed 300 structures, and cut electric power to thousands of homes. Cattle and wildlife — including at an animal sanctuary — have been killed or injured.
Sparks from a trailer purportedly ignited at least one of the devastating blazes.
Fortunately, firefighters have been able to slow the spread of some of the fires for now — such as the fire at Carlisle River south of Princes Highway, which is reportedly heading away from Colac and is currently burning in a northwesterly direction towards Bungador…
…but despite the good news, the two fires in the Otways that are still burning out of control are the:
- Carlisle River fire at greater than 3,300 hectares
- Kennedys Creek fire at greater than 3,400 hectares
Click here for a continuously updated interactive map of the wildfires in Victoria.
Photographs, Videos, and Reaction and Commentary Via Social Media
The following was posted via social media:
Final Boarding Call
I was in the state of Victoria exactly ten months ago; and I enjoyed my visit there. I am saddened by the wildfires; the damage they are causing; and the people they are adversely affecting. I hope that the wildfires become fully under control and extinguished as soon as possible; but the heat and winds have rendered that goal to be more difficult.
Be sure to contact your airline or transportation provider for the latest information pertaining to your travels — if they are adversely affected — and please: be prepared for delays or cancellations of flights; and travel safely.
In the meantime, my thoughts and prayers are with the people and animals who have been adversely affected by the bushfires…
All photographs ©2025 by Brian Cohen.
