Residents urged to leave Skipton as fire spreads; total fire ban for Saturday

UPDATED 2.50pm, January 9

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A strike team was called to a grassfire at Streatham, north-east of Lake Bolac. The fire is heading east and Skipton residents have been advised to leave now.

A total fire ban has been declared for all regions across the state for Saturday, January 10, 2026.

Tomorrow's conditions will be cooler than today, Friday, January 9, but still warm with strong winds.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the fire ban has been declared due to the number of fires in the landscape.

"Firefighters are battling multiple fires across Victoria in difficult conditions today with extreme heat and strong winds," Chief Officer Heffernan said.

There are currently no fires recorded in the south-west on a day of catastrophic fire rating.

A bushfire at Natimuk, near Horsham has been ongoing since 1pm on Friday, January 9, and has escalated, the current advice for Natimuk residents is to seek shelter now.

Some childcare centres, holiday parks, beaches and council facilities around the south-west are closed due to the catastrophic danger rating forecast for Friday, January 9, 2026.

Family daycare and childcare services will be closed in the Corangamite Shire, including pool facilities in Camperdown, Cobden, Lismore, Skipton, Terang and Timboon.

The Port Campbell National Park, including the Twelve Apostles, the Port Campbell foreshore, Peterborough foreshore and the Port Campbell Recreation Reserve will be closed.

Bushfire places of last resort and neighbourhood safer places are open.

Moyne Shire's pools in Hawkesdale, Mortlake and Macarthur will be closed, so too, early years, maternal and child health centres and waste facilities.

A total fire ban has been declared statewide for Victoria with a catastrophic danger rating forecast for the south-west.

Conditions are expected to be the most dangerous experienced this summer with temperatures exceeding 40 degrees and strong winds of 30 to 50kmh across the state.

The Bureau of Meteorology is predicting a top temperature of 32 for Warrnambool on Friday, with 33 in Port Fairy, 38 in Mortlake and 37 in Hamilton.

Catastrophic fire rating issued for the South West, January 2026. Picture supplied.

Chief Officer Heffernan said the safest option for people in bushfire risk areas within the south-west was to start planning to leave tonight or early tomorrow.

"Tomorrow's hot and erratic fire conditions will put you and your family's lives at risk if a fire starts and takes hold. Fires will be unpredictable and uncontrollable," Chief Officer Heffernan said.

"The safest place to be is away from high-risk areas such as campsites, parks and forests. Now is not the time to be complacent with your safety - please leave early."

The last time a catastrophic fire danger ratings were declared in Victoria across multiple districts was November 21, 2019.

Severe thunderstorms and potential for dry lighting are forecast, which could make it difficult for firefighters.

"Don't wait for official warnings," Chief Officer Heffernan said.

"Do not plan to defend your home on catastrophic fire danger days - even well-prepared homes cannot withstand these conditions, and we may not be able to reach you.

"If you are caught out and all other bushfire plans have failed, be aware of local last resort options such as Neighborhood Safer Places and designated Community Fire Refuges."

"If you're in those catastrophic fire danger area where there are no fires at the moment, you should be leaving by 7am on Friday, January 9," Commissioner Wiebusch said.

A Total Fire Ban means no fire can be lit in the open air or allowed to remain alight from 12.01am to 11.59pm on the day of the Total Fire Ban.

Victorians should also make sure they have access to more than one source of information.

They include:

ABC local radio, commercial and designated radio stations of Sky News

The VicEmergency App

The VicEmergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.auamp;source=gmail&ust=1767922120775000&usg=AOvVa…" www.emergency.vic.gov.au

The VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226

CFA or VicEmergency Twitter or Facebook

Total Fire Ban permits issued to companies and individuals in the South West, Wimmera, Northern Country and North Central have been cancelled for tomorrow due to forecast catastrophic fire conditions.

How to prepare for a catastrophic fire danger day:

Catastrophic fire danger signals the worst possible grass and bushfire conditions.

Do not plan to stay and defend your home on Catastrophic fire danger days. Homes are not designed or constructed to withstand fire in these conditions - even the best prepared homes will not be safe. You could lose your life or be seriously injured.

The safest place to be is away from high-risk areas such as campsites, parks and forests.

If you're in a bushfire risk area, plan to leave your home or accommodation early in the morning or the night before.

Pack an overnight bag with essential supplies including provisions for pets and animals.

Avoid unnecessary travel and check for road closures and detours.

Check whether schools, childcare, transport and health services are impacted and adjust travel accordingly.

Prepare for power outages.

Check on and assist any vulnerable neighbours.

If you are on mains water, turn off hoses and sprinklers if you evacuate your property.

What to do on a catastrophic fire danger day:

You won't always receive a warning or be told what to do if a fire starts. Don't wait and see - it's up to you to be prepared. Know what to do and take action.

You should never wait to receive an official warning before you leave. Emergencies can start quickly and threaten lives and homes within minutes. Leave bushfire risk areas early in the morning or the night before.

Be prepared for fire, monitor conditions, and know where to get information so you can make good decisions about your safety.

If you get caught out during a fire, know where your last resort options are including Neighbourhood Safer Places and designated Community Fire Refuges. These are places of last resort when all other bushfire plans have failed.

They may protect you and your family from direct flame and radiant heat, but they do not guarantee safety.

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