January 12, 2026
Authorities in Victoria have declared a state of emergency as multiple fires burn across the state. As of 11 January, the fires have burned around 350,000 hectares of land across Victoria and destroyed over 350 structures. Smoke from the fires has worsened air quality in many areas, including Melbourne. The state of emergency declaration grants firefighters emergency powers to facilitate evacuations and expedite disaster management measures. The fires, which are fuelled by hot, dry and windy conditions, could burn for several weeks. Authorities describe the fire as the worst to hit the state since the Black Summer blazes of 2019-2020, which burned 240,000 hectares of land and led to 33 casualties.