Victoria has been ravaged by what authorities describe as the most destructive and early-onset bushfires in its recorded history. The catastrophic blazes, which erupted in January 2026, have torn through an estimated 400,000 hectares of land, claimed the life of cattle farmer Maxwell Hobson, and resulted in the loss of almost 900 buildings, including more than 250 homes. The toll on livestock has been staggering, with over 15,000 animals killed, alongside countless native wildlife.
A Fire Season Like No Other
Both ground crews and emergency management officials have been unanimous in their assessment: the speed, scale, and ferocity of these fires were unprecedented. Compounding the crisis was their exceptionally early arrival, striking well before the traditional peak of the bushfire season in February. Jason Heffernan, Chief Officer of the Country Fire Authority (CFA), stated the fires exceeded thresholds seen on the infamous Black Saturday in some parts of the state.
The stage for disaster was set by a year of exceptionally dry conditions across southern Australia, with much of Victoria recording rainfall "very much below average." While November rains spurred significant grass growth, the subsequent prolonged heatwave turned this new growth into vast tracts of highly flammable fuel.
The Timeline of Destruction
The emergency unfolded rapidly. On 6 January, Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Weibusch warned of a severe heatwave, the likes of which Victoria had not seen since 2019. The Bureau of Meteorology's Michael Efron forecast temperatures soaring to 45-46°C by 9 January, accompanied by gusty winds but little rain.
By 7 January, with Melbourne hitting 41.1°C, multiple fires ignited. The Walwa fire began in Mt Lawson State Park on the NSW border, quickly consuming 1,000 hectares. That same afternoon, the first warnings were issued for the Longwood fire in central Victoria. The following day, authorities took the grave step of declaring a catastrophic fire danger rating for 9 January—the first such declaration since 2019.
9 January proved to be the day of greatest fury. Supercharged by strong winds and extreme heat, the Longwood blaze became terrifyingly dynamic, spreading in multiple directions. It decimated the town of Ruffy and forced evacuations in dozens of communities, including the holiday spot of Eildon. By 15 January, this single fire complex had burned 137,000 hectares, destroying 173 homes. It was in this fire that farmer Maxwell Hobson lost his life.
Multiple Fronts of Crisis
Simultaneously, other major fires raged across the state. The Harcourt/Ravenswood fire north of Bendigo tore through the township, jumped the Calder Freeway, and caused significant damage to the rail line. Andrew Wilson, captain of the Harcourt Valley CFA with over 40 years' experience, called it one of the most intense fires he had ever faced, surpassing the ferocity of Black Saturday.
The Walwa fire grew so fierce it generated its own weather system, creating a pyrocumulonimbus cloud. It ultimately burned over 102,000 hectares, destroying plantations and farmland. Grassfires also ravaged communities west of Ballarat and the town of Natimuk near Horsham, claiming dozens more homes.
Aftermath and Ongoing Threat
As of 15 January, nine fires continued to burn, though under milder conditions that allowed for crucial back-burning operations. However, authorities have issued a stern warning to Victorians not to become complacent. Chief Officer Heffernan stressed that the traditional peak fire danger period is still ahead in February, and very hot, windy conditions could return within weeks, threatening more communities.
The scenes of destruction across Victoria—from decimated main streets to ruined farms and scorched forests—paint a stark picture of a state grappling with a new era of climate-fuelled fire intensity. The task of recovery for those who have lost everything is immense, and the battle to fully contain these historic blazes is not yet over.
