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 04:06 AM EDT on Friday 09 January 2026 Weather Situation Very hot and dry conditions with moderate to fresh north to northwesterly winds expected to develop over northern Victoria on Thursday during the mid to late morning and persist through the afternoon. Winds easing during the evening and mostly tending northeast to southeasterly. Isolated thunderstorms are possible during the afternoon and evening, with very little precipitation expected and the risk of dry lightning and damaging wind gusts. For the rest of 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. No further warnings will be issued for this event, but the situation will continue to be monitored and further warnings issued if necessary.