Source: VIC Emergency
Issued Today at 1:00 PM.
This Watch and Act message is being issued for Abbeyard, Arbuckle,
Billabong, Black Snake Creek, Budgee Budgee, Castleburn, Cobbannah,
Cowa, Crooked River, Dargo, Gibbs, Grant, Hawkhurst, Hogtown,
Howitt Plains, Howittville, Maguires, Miowera, Moornapa, Moroka,
Naarun, Peter the Swede, Selwyn, Shepherdson, Talbotville, Toolome,
Waterford, Winchester, Wongungarra, Wonnangatta.
- There are bushfires in the Wonnangatta Valley (known as the
Wonnangatta - Dargo Complex) that are not yet under control.
- Fire activity remains in the area. Monitor conditions and be
ready to act.
- Holiday makers are not to enter the area.
- State and National Parks are closed due to ongoing fire
activity.
- Emergency services, machinery and aircraft are operating in the
area and are working on suppressing the fire edges and building
control lines.
- This Watch and Act replaces the Watch and Act issued at 1pm
Monday 26 January.
- The situation can change at any time. You must monitor
conditions and be ready to act.
What you should do:
- Monitor changes to the situation. Increased wind speed, change
in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility can indicate the
situation is changing.
- Have a bushfire plan. Visit the CFA website for details on how
to prepare your and your property for a bushfire. Visit CFA - Plan
and Prepare
- If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the
situation changes.
- If you have time, check your neighbours to see if they are
monitoring conditions.
- Protect yourself and your family.
- Do not visit the area. Even if a roadblock is not staffed, it
remains in place for your safety.
Leave if the situation changes or you feel unsafe.
Remember to:
- Take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
- Many people have died trying to leave at the last minute during
fires.
- Travel to the home of family or friends that are away from the
warning area.
Impacts in your area:
- The following roads are restricted to residents and property
owners only. Access will be permitted for essential maintenance and
animal care.
- Proof of ownership is required and must be provided via driver's
licence or rates notice.
- Bairnsdale-Dargo Road at the Beverleys Road Junction
- Freestone Creek Road at Coopers Road
- For Road Closures check the VicTraffic website or call 13 11 70
for road closures.
Public Land and Recreation Closures:
- Blue Pool and all sites further north on Freestone Creek
Road
- The Alpine National Park
- The Mitchell River National Park
For additional Park Closure updates refer to
- Parks Victoria
- Forest Fire Management
This message was issued by Forest Fire Management Victoria.
CFA Current
Bushfires
27/Jan/2026 04:56 AM



