Source: VIC Emergency

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

Issued Today at 4:19 PM.

This Watch and Act message is being issued for Barkers Creek, Dog Rocks Saddle, 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.
Fire-damaged trees remain a serious hazard in the Harcourt area; until assessments are complete, strong winds may cause trees or limbs to fall without warning.
Smoke will be visible from nearby communities and and will continue to show for the next few days.
Restricted access is available to residents as advertised, in specific areas as determined by Victoria Police. Access to non-residents is strictly prohibited.

This Watch and Act message replaces the Watch & Act issued at 9:58am.
The situation can change at any time. You must monitor conditions and be ready to act.
Other Information:
A Recovery Hub is open at the Castlemaine Town Hall, 25 Lyttleton Street, opening hours will be from 11:00am and 5:00pm this week.
For affected residents, the Recovery Hub includes a number of agencies and organisations that can assist you through the recovery process including temporary accommodation support.
The recording of the latest community meeting can be accessed from the Mount Alexander Shire Council Facebook page.
The Community Newsletter for the 15 January 2026 is available here with key information on current activity in the Harcourt Area.
Community Newsletters are available at key locations.
Refer to Mount Alexander Shire Council website for further information on relief, recovery and accessibility.
Be aware that firefighting vehicles and other agencies are progressing with containment and recovery, please keep roads and properties clear.
What you should do:
Continue to monitor weather conditions.
If you do not have a plan, decide what you will do if the situation changes.
Leave if the situation changes or you feel unsafe.

Impacts in your area:
Forest Fire Management are continuing burning out operations within the Mount Alexander Regional Park, this will create additional smoke which may be visible to nearby communities. Aircraft may be visible. It is important for the community to know that these works are part of our plan and there is no need to be worried.

The following roads are closed:
Harmony Way from Gaaschs Road to Twyford Street
Harmony Way north of Blackjack Road
Blackjack Road east of Harmony Way
Eagles Road from McIvor Road to Market Street
Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road from Grays Road to North Harcourt Road
Victoria Road from Calder In-Ramp to Coolstore Road, Harcourt
Joseph Young Drive
Faraday-Sutton Grange Road from Bendigo-Sutton Grange Road to Harmony Way
We are working on making roads safe before they open.
Check the VicTraffic website or call 13 11 70 for road closures.

The Mount Alexander National Park is closed.

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.
This message was issued by Country Fire Authority.

The next update is expected by 16/01/2026 10:00 am or as the situation changes.

Use multiple sources to stay informed:
www.emergency.vic.gov.au
VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226
VicEmergency app
Facebook or Twitter (#vicfires)
Tune in to ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.
Accessibility:
The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency.
To access this information in other languages, call the Translating and Interpreting Hotline on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.
If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.

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