Type Status Location Last Updated
Watch and Act - Fire - Monitor Conditions As They Are Changing Moderate Billabong, Black Snake Creek, Budgee Budgee, Castleburn, Crooked River, Gibbs, Grant, Hawkhurst, Hogtown, Howittville, Maguires, Miowera, Naarun, Peter the Swede, Selwyn, Shepherdson, Talbotville, Waterford, Winchester, Wongungarra, Wonnangatta, Abbeyard, Arbuckle, Cobbannah, Cowa, Dargo, Howitt Plains, Moornapa, Moroka, Toolome Today at 12:59 PM
This Watch and Act message is being issued for Abbeyard, Arbuckle, Billabong, Black Snake Creek, Budgee Budgee, Castleburn, Cobbannah, Cowa, Crooked River, Dargo, Gibbs, Grant, Hawkhurst, Hogtown, Howitt Plains, Howittville, Maguires, Miowera, Moornapa, Moroka, Naarun, Peter the Swede, Selwyn, Shepherdson, Talbotville, Toolome, Waterford, Winchester, Wongungarra, Wonnangatta.
  • There are bushfires in the Wonnangatta Valley (known as the Wonnangatta - Dargo Complex) that are not yet under control.
  • Fire activity remains in the area.  Monitor conditions and be ready to act. 
  • The weather this weekend is expected to be hot with a chance of thunderstorms.
  • Holiday-makers are not to enter the area.
  • State and National Parks are closed due to ongoing fire activity. 
  • Emergency services, machinery and aircraft are operating in the area and are working on suppressing the fire edges and building control lines. 
  • This Watch and Act replaces the Watch and Act issued at 12.54 pm Wednesday 21st January.
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. 
  • Have a bushfire plan. Visit the CFA website for details on how to prepare your and your property for a bushfire.   Visit https://www.cfa.vic.gov.au
  • 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.
  • Do not visit the area. 
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:
The following roads are restricted to residents and property owners only. Access will be permitted for essential maintenance and animal care. 
Proof of ownership is required and must be provided via driver’s licence or rates notice.
  • Bairnsdale-Dargo Road at the Beverleys Road Junction 
  • Freestone Creek Road at Coopers Road   
The following roads are closed: 
  • Dargo High Plain Road between Dargo and Great Alpine Road 
  • Marathon Road at the Moroka Road Junction 
  • Marathon Road at the Boundary 24 Track Junction
  • Birregun Road (between Dogs Grave and Gidely Track)   
  • Wallers Road (between Friday Creek Road and Bairnsdale-Dargo Road)
  • Abbeyard Road (south of Rose River Road) 
  • Lake Cobbler Road
  • Speculation Road
All roads and tracks within the closed State and National Parks are closed to the public.

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

Public Land and Recreation Closures:
State and National Parks in the area are closed. Click HERE for a map of the closed areas with this incident. 

The following Parks including all campgrounds and recreation areas are closed to the public until further notice:  
  • Blue Pool and all sites further north on Freestone Creek Road    
  • The Alpine National Park north of Briagolong, east of Arbuckle Junction including Mount Howitt to Wabonga and south of Abbeyard, west of the Great Alpine Road and to the west of Dargo.
  • The Mitchell River National Park
For additional Park Closure updates refer to 
  • Parks Victoria - https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/
  • Forest Fire Management - https://www.ffm.vic.gov.au/
Emergency Services are operating in the area.  
Smoke will be visible from nearby communities and roads. 
This message was issued by Forest Fire Management Victoria.

The next update is expected by 23/01/2026 01:00 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.
  • For 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.