Type Status Location Last Updated
Advice - Health - Stay Informed Minor State of Victoria Today at 5:52 PM
This Advice is being issued for the State of Victoria

Air quality across Victoria has improved, though bushfire smoke may still be impacting air quality in some areas.

  • Good - Fair  air quality is being observed across the State
  • The forecast in the North East weather district for the next 3 days (17 - 19 January) is Fair - Poor air quality.
  • The forecast for the rest of the State is for Good - Fair over the next 3 days (17 - 19 January)
  • If air quality in your area has improved, consider opening windows and doors to let fresh air into your home.
  • Conditions can change quickly - continue to monitor the air quality in your local area, and consider the actions below if the air becomes smoky.
  • Extreme heat and bushfire smoke are both harmful to health and the effects of heat exposure can have serious consequences for sensitive individuals. 
  •  Excessive smoke can aggravate existing heart and lung conditions and cause irritated eyes, coughing and wheezing.     
  • This Advice message replaces the Advice issued Thursday, 15 January 2026 at 4:39pm.
Smoke can affect people's health. Take steps to reduce your exposure and protect the health of yourself and others.
What you can do:
  • Listen to your local emergency radio station or visit VicEmergency for advice. 
  • Check the air quality in your area here.
  • Stay indoors away from smoke. If you must go outside when it is very smoky, consider wearing a mask (P2 or N95).
  • Close your windows and doors to keep smoke out of your home.

Keep the air inside your home as clean as possible. You can do this by:
  • Closing windows and doors and opening them when air quality improves,
  • Using your split system air conditioner OR switching other types of air conditioners to recirculate if they have this function, 
  • Not using evaporative coolers because they bring outdoor air inside 
  • Using an indoor air cleaner, if you have one, that has a high efficiency particle air (HEPA) filter that is the right size for the room. 

  • If you think the air in your home is still uncomfortable, consider going to a place with cleaner air if it is safe to do so, for example go to an air-conditioned building like a library or shopping centre. You may also consider using a P2 or N95 mask. If you have a preexisting heart or lung condition, seek advice from your doctor if you experience difficulty breathing while wearing a mask. You can find more information on wearing masks: Bushfires and public health.
  • People who are sensitive (people with a heart or lung condition, including asthma; people over the age of 65; infants and young children; pregnant women; and people with diabetes) to smoke should actively monitor symptoms and follow their health management plan recommended by their doctor. 
  • If you are worried about your symptoms, see your doctor or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024, or go online at Home - Victorian Virtual Emergency Department.
  • If you or anyone in your care has trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort, call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.

If you are or have been experiencing poor air quality for a few days (North Central and North East regions):

  • The longer smoke persists the more important it is to take precautions to reduce your exposure and to monitor for symptoms amongst household members sensitive to smoke.  
  • Stay indoors and take steps to reduce your exposure to smoke (refer to What you can do above).  
  • If air quality is predicted to remain Poor, Very Poor or Extremely Poor for more than two days and you have household members that are sensitive to smoke, consider staying with friends/family in an area with better air quality until conditions improve. 
  • For areas without a monitoring location nearby, you can self-assess using visibility, EPA's factsheet ‘assessing health risk from smoke’ can help  
  • Monitor for symptoms and if you are worried about your symptoms, see your doctor or call Nurse on Call on 1300 606 024 or go online at Home - Victorian Virtual Emergency Department. 
  • If you or anyone in your care has trouble breathing, chest pain or discomfort call Triple Zero (000) for an ambulance.
Impacts in your area:
  • Road travel may be hazardous due to low visibility associated with smoke.
  • Signs may be in place to slow traffic. Obey all traffic signs and instructions from fire agency crews near the fires.
  • Environment Protection Authority is monitoring air quality across the state. 
This message was issued by Environment Protection Authority.

The next update is expected by 17/01/2026 07:00 pm 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 the National Relay Service and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.