General News
9 January, 2026
Loddon volunteers in Ravenswood South fire strike teams
Volunteers from the CFA's Loddon South and Terrick groups are now among hundreds of firefighters tackling the major blaze that started near Fogartys Gap Road at Ravenswood South.
Tankers from brigades including Inglewood, Bridgewater, Rheola, Newbridge, Boort, Dingee Tandarra, Pyramid Hill and Barraport are among more than 110 units and command vehicles tackling the fire that has now swept over Mount Alexander.
Television and radio transmitters on the mount have been knocked out with multiple stations off the air,
Convoys have also travelled down the Calder Highway through Loddon towns with CFA volunteers from Lake Boga, Sea Lake, Wycheproof and Glenloth East refuelling their trucks in Marong before heading south to the fire,
There have been reports of homes lost in Harcourt. Several commercial buildings in Coolstore Road have been destroyed, one owner has told the Loddon Herald.
Residents in Elphinstone, Harcourt North, Metcalfe, Sedgwick, Sutton Grange were told soon after 7.30pm to leave the area immediately.
The fire had earlier jumped the Calder Highway that remains closed.
Relief centres have been established in Bendigo at the Prince of Wales Showgrounds and in Kyneton.
Tomorrow, Saturday January 10, has been declared a day of total fire ban.