Type Status Location Last Updated
Emergency Warning - Fire - Take Shelter Now Extreme Longwood East, Avenel, Longwood, Ruffy, Tarcombe, Upton Hill Yesterday at 9:00 PM
This Emergency Warning is being issued for Avenel, Longwood, Longwood East, Ruffy, Tarcombe, Upton Hill.

  • This warning is for the residents in the area NORTH of a line drawn from Maggies Lane and Mount Monica
  • There is a bushfire at Longwood that is not yet under control.
  • The bushfire is travelling from the Hume Freeway in a south-easterly direction towards Longwood-Ruffy Road. 
  • You must take shelter now.
  • This Emergency Warning replaces the Emergency Warning message issued at 5:47pm 7 January, 2026. 
  • If you have not already left, the time to safely evacuate has now passed. Take shelter indoors immediately. It is now too dangerous to leave.
You are in danger and need to act immediately to survive.

The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately. It is too late to leave.
What you should do:

Move indoors: 
  • Protect yourself by wearing long sleeves and trousers, made from pure cotton or wool. Wear leather boots.  
  • Bring your pets inside.  
  • Close all exterior doors, windows and vents and turn off cooling systems. 
  • You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to kill you well before the flames reach you. 
  • Shelter in a room that has two exits, such as a door or window including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.
If your home catches on fire: 
  • Move away from the rooms that are on fire, closing doors behind you.
  • As soon as the bushfire has passed the house, or conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt. Staying inside a burning building will almost certainly end in death. 
  • It may still be too hot to remain outside, so you will need to seek shelter in another structure or last resort option.
If you cannot get indoors, last resort options include:
  • Shelter in the middle of a large open area like a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve.
  • Get into a large body of water like a dam, lake, river, the ocean or inground pool.
  • Try to protect yourself from the fire's heat.
If you are travelling: 
  • If you are travelling, do not enter the warning area. Make a u-turn and travel to safety. 
  • If you are currently driving slow down and turn on your headlights. Smoke will make it difficult to see.
If you are caught in fire in your car: 
  • Park off the road behind a solid structure to block the fire's heat or pull over to cleared area.
  • Try to position the car towards the approaching fire.
  • Turn on your hazard lights and headlights.
  • Close all windows. 
  • Turn off the air-conditioning and shut all the air vents. 
  • Turn your car engine off. 
  • Get down as low as possible below window level and cover up with a pure woollen blanket.
Impacts in your area: 
  • Embers are being carried by the wind large distances ahead of the main fire and starting spot fires.
  • Trees can fall across roads and cause dangerous driving conditions.
  • Bushfires can generate extreme heat. Heat will kill you before the fire reaches you. 
Roads are closed at the following:
Longwood Ruffy Road and Gap Road
Redgate Lane and Longwood Ruffy Road
Oak Valley Road and Gilberts Road
This message was issued by Country Fire Authority.

The next update is expected by 08/01/2026 07:00 am or as the situation changes.

Use multiple sources to stay informed: 
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 Service 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 for assistance and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.