Source: Bureau of Meteorology

Issued at 4:16 pm EDT on Thursday 8 January 2026.

The CFA advises that you:
- Action your Bushfire Survival Plan now.
- Monitor the fire and weather situation through ABC Local Radio, commercial and
designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV, www.emergency.vic.gov.au
and www.bom.gov.au.
- Call 000 (Triple Zero) in an emergency.

For Friday 9 January:

Catastrophic Fire Danger is forecast for the following fire weather districts:
North Central, Northern Country, South West and Wimmera

Extreme Fire Danger is forecast for the following fire weather districts:
Central, East Gippsland, Mallee, North East and West and South Gippsland

Weather Situation
Very hot and dry conditions with fresh to strong and gusty north to northwesterly winds expected to develop over Victoria during Friday morning and persist through the afternoon. A cooler and gusty west to southwesterly change is forecast to develop over the southwest in the early afternoon then extend eastwards during the afternoon and evening. Isolated thunderstorms are expected, mainly near and south of the ranges, with most activity likely in the afternoon and evening ahead of and near the change. Little precipitation is likely with thunderstorms, bringing the risk of dry lightning and damaging wind gusts.

For information on preparing for bushfires go to www.cfa.vic.gov.au.


Total Fire Bans & Fire Danger Ratings