Source: VIC Emergency

Watch and Act - Grass Fire - Monitor Conditions As They Are Changing

Issued Today at 8:31 AM.

This Watch and Act message is being issued for Barkers Creek, Harcourt, Harcourt North, Ravenswood South, Sutton Grange, Walmer.
There is a grassfire that started at Fogartys Gap Road, Ravenswood South that is not yet under control.
The fire crossed Calder Highway, impacted Harcourt, Mount Alexander and areas to the east towards Sutton Grange.
The spread of fire has slowed and is not travelling outside the current burn area, but this can change at any time and the situation is still dangerous. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.
It is not safe to return.
Many trees have been impacted by fire and are considered dangerous until assessment processes are complete, these assessments are still in progress.
Smoke may be visible from nearby communities and may be present for the next few days.
A Recovery Hub will open at the Castlemaine Town Hall, 25 Lyttleton Street, on Monday, 12 January 2026. Opening hours will be from 11:00am and 5:00pm.
For affected residents, the Recovery Hub will include a number of agencies and organisations that can assist you through the recovery process including temporary accommodation support.
The Emergency Relief Centres at the Bendigo Showgrounds and Kyneton Sports and Aquatic Centre have closed as of Monday, 12 January 2026, at 9:00am.
A copy of the Community Newsletter for 11 January 2026 is available here
A livestream community meeting has been planned for midday Monday, 12 January 2026. This can be accessed from the VicEmergency - Loddon Mallee Facebook page.
This Watch and Act message replaces the Watch & Act issued at 6:34pm.
The situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.
What you should do:
Monitor changes to the situation. Increased wind speed, change in wind direction, smoke or poor visibility can indicate the situation is changing.
Enact your fire survival plan.
If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes.
If you have time, check your neighbours to see if they are monitoring conditions.
Protect yourself and your family.
Leave if the situation changes or you feel unsafe. Remember to:
Take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.
Many people have died trying to leave at the last minute during fires.
Travel to the home of family or friends that are away from the warning area.
Impacts in your area:
Forest Fire Management are planning to commence burning out operations today within the Mount Alexander Regional Park, this will create additional smoke which may be visible to nearby communities. Large aircraft will be used to assist these operations.
The following roads are closed:
Fogartys Gap Road, Ravenswood South - from Mt Gaspard Road to Calder Freeway
North Harcourt Road, Harcourt North - from Sedgwick-Sutton Grange Road to Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road
Sutton Grange Road, Sedgwick - from Axe Creek Road to Grays Road
Grays Road, Sutton Grange - from Sutton Grange Road to Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road
Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road, Sutton Grange - from Grays Road to Bendigo-Sutton Grange Road
Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road, Sutton Grange - from Grays Road to North Harcourt Road
Elphinstone-Sutton Grange Road, Elphinstone - from Finnings Road to Pollards Road
Bendigo-Sutton Grange Road, Elphinstone - from Pollards Road to Grays Road, Sutton Grange
Pollards Road, Elphinstone - From Calder Freeway to Harmony Way
Victoria Road, Harcourt - from Calder In-Victoria Ramp Of, Victoria Road, Barkers Creek to Coolstore Road, Harcourt
Harmony Way/Pyrenees Highway Intersection, Elphinstone
McIvor Road, Harcourt North - from Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road to Reservoir Road.
We are working on making roads safe before they open.

Check the VicTraffic website (www.traffic.transport.vic.gov.au) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.

The fire has impacted communication towers on Mount Alexander which has impacted radio broadcasting. Temporary measures are in place. Free to air TV remains offline.
Grassfires can generate extreme heat.
Grassfires can start and spread quickly, and are extremely dangerous.
This message was issued by Country Fire Authority.

CFA Current Bushfires