Source: VIC Emergency

Issued Today at 2:15 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.
- 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.
- This Watch and Act message replaces the Watch & Act issued at 09:30am

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 yesterday's community meeting can be accessed from the VicEmergency - Loddon Mallee Facebook page.
- The Community Newsletter for the 12 January 2026 is available here.
- Community Newsletters are available at key locations.
- Refer to Mount Alexander Shire Council 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.

The following roads are closed:

- Harmony Way from Calder Highway to Blackjack Road, Harcourt
- North Harcourt Road, Harcourt North - from Ford Road to Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road
- Sutton Grange Road, Sedgwick - from Axe Creek Road to Grays Road
- Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road, Sutton Grange - from Grays Road to North Harcourt Road
- Victoria Road, Harcourt - from Calder In-Ramp of, Victoria Road, Barkers Creek to Coolstore Road, Harcourt
- McIvor Road, Harcourt North - from Harcourt-Sutton Grange Road to Reservoir Road.
- 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.

CFA Current Bushfires