General News
10 January, 2026
State of Disaster declared in fire-hit areas
The Victorian Government has declared a state of disaster in 18 municipalities.
Premier Jacinta Allan's declaration was announced about 1am this morning as CFA volunteers continued tackling major fires, including at Ravenswood South/Harcourt where Loddon units are part of the effort as a cool change arrived overnight.
Emergency warnings remain in place for Harcourt.
Her swift announcement said the Premier is satisfied there is an emergency that constitutes, or is likely to constitute, a significant and widespread danger to life or property in the following part of Victoria:
Alpine Shire
Ararat Rural City
Colac Otway Shire
Corangamite Shire
East Gippsland Shire
Golden Plains Shire
Greater Bendigo City
Horsham Rural City
Lake Mountain Alpine Resort (Unincorporated)
Mansfield Shire
Mildura Rural City
Mitchell Shire
Moira Shire
Mount Alexander Shire
Murrindindi Shire
Pyrenees Shire
Strathbogie Shire
Towong Shire
Wellington Shire
The Government said a State of Disaster:
May be declared to exist in the whole, or parts, of Victoria
Exists immediately upon the making of the declaration and remains in force for seven days (unless another declaration is made)
Can be revoked or varied by the Premier at any time.
The declaration gives the Government, through the Minister for Emergency Services, the powers and resources it needs to keep Victorians safe. Examples of the Minister’s broad power to direct and allocate government resources include:
Directing any government agency to do, or refrain from doing, any function, power, duty, or responsibility
Declaring that the operation of an Act or subordinate instrument is suspended, if compliance by a government agency with that legislation would inhibit response to or recovery from the disaster
Take possession and make use of any person’s property to respond to the disaster
Controlling movement in and out of the disaster area and
Compelling the evacuation of persons from the disaster area or any part of it.