Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology Victoria Fire Weather Warning for Central, East Gippsland, Mallee, North Central, North East, Northern Country, South West, West and South Gippsland and Wimmera fire weather districts Issued at 04:16 PM EDT on Thursday 08 January 2026 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 Friday 09 January: Catastrophic Fire Danger for the following areas: North Central, Northern Country, South West and Wimmera Extreme Fire Danger for the following areas: Central, East Gippsland, Mallee, North East and West and South Gippsland 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 information on preparing for bushfires go to www.cfa.vic.gov.au. The next warning will be issued by 5:00 am EDT Friday.