Relief & Recovery

Current Events

Floods East Gippsland April 2022

Victorian Fires 2019-20

General Information

Southwest Fires March 2018

North East Fires 2019-20

Storm

Previous Incidents

Floods and storms June 2021

Blue-Green Algae

Wellbeing

Fire

Flood

Earthquake

Tsunami

January 2026 fires

 

Call Triple Zero (000) in life threatening emergencies.  

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed in a disaster. For tips to cope, call Lifeline's disaster support line on 13 43 57. 

There is a link between disasters and an increase in family violence. It can happen to anyone. 1800RESPECT is available for free to support people impacted by family violence. To talk to someone, call 1800 737 732 , text something like 'hello' to 0458 737 732, or chat online at 1800respect.org.au. 

If your home has been damaged by wind or storm call VICSES on 132 500. They can help to make your home safe if: 

  • your roof is damaged, or it is leaking significantly 

  • a tree has fallen and damaged your home 

  • a tree has fallen and is blocking the entrance to your home 

  • your home has flooded or is about to flood 

Find somewhere safe to go

If you are in an area at risk of bushfires, leave the area. You should go to a major town or regional centre. 

Check road closures before you travel via the VicTraffic website. The roads you normally drive on may be closed. 

You can stay at a relief centre if you need. A relief centre can provide basic support like somewhere to stay, food, water, and mental health first aid. 

This list is accurate as of 10.30am Saturday 10 January. Conditions can change at any time. Follow advice in warnings for the safest place to go. 

Find a relief centre at:  

North Central District

  • Seymour Sports and Aquatics Centre (Chittick Park), Pollard Street, Seymour. This site has disability access. Small pets including dogs and cats are welcome at the relief centre.

Northern Country District

  • Bendigo Showgrounds, Enter via Holmes Rd, Bendigo - this site has disability access. 
  • Cobram Sports Stadium, Apex reserve, Campbell Road, Cobram
  • McIntosh Centre, Shepparton Showgrounds

North East District

  • Benalla Relief Centre, Town Hall 82-86 Nunn Street, Benalla
  • Mansfield Sporting Complex 35 Highett Street, Mansfield
  • Tallangatta Memorial Hall, 30 Towong Street, Tallangatta. Pets are not allowed at this relief centre.Only open 8am - 4pm
  • Wodonga Exhibition Centre at Wodnoga Racecourse, Hamilton Smith Drive, Wodonga 

Central District

  • City of Whittlesea Civic Centre, 25 Ferres Blvd, South Morang
  • Kyneton Sports Aquatic Centre, 4 Victoria St, Kyneton
  • Lilydale Highschool, 26 Hutchinson Street, Lilydale

South West District

  • Beaufort Community Bank Complex, 39 Park Road, Beaufort

Wimmera District

  • Horsham Town Hall, Wilson Street, Horsham

Mallee District

  • Ouyen Football Netball Clubrooms, Blackburn Park, 6 Calder Highway, Ouyen

If you have a pet – RSPCA Victoria has advice for pets in emergencies.  

Do not go back home until emergency services say it is safe. It could still be dangerous in your area.  

Large animals and livestock

Large animals like horses can be taken to these animal relief centres:

Owners are responsible for their animals and will need to stay with their animals. Bring your own feed and extra water in case of power outages.

  • Seymour showgrounds - 55 Tallarook St, Seymour
    • Bring fencing to keep animals separate.
    • There is a relief centre nearby you can stay at.
  • Mansfield Zoo - Mansfield-Woods Point Rd, Mansfield
    • Bring fencing to keep animals separate. Electric is okay.
    • Provide own sleeping arrangements, like a tent to stay with your animals.
  • Euroa Saleyard - 58 Sutherland St, Euroa
    • Bring fencing to keep animals separate.
    • Camping is not allowed. There is no relief centre nearby. Please organise your own accommodation..

Stay up to date

Don’t rely on one source of information.

Charge your phone when it’s low on power.

  • Download the VicEmergency App and set up a watch zone for your area.
  • Save the VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226 to your phone.

Know who your local emergency broadcaster is. You can find them via Official Emergency Broadcasters in Victoria | Emergency Management Victoria

Carry a portable radio with you if you have one.

Emergency Relief Payments

Emergency relief payments are available for eligible people impacted by the bushfires.

You can apply for this payment if:

  • your principal place of residence was damaged or destroyed by the major emergency and you can’t live in it, or
  • your principal place of residence was in an evacuation warning area, and you evacuated your property,

and

  • you have unmet immediate relief needs.

To apply for a payment:

A support officer from the Department of Families, Fairness and Housing can help you apply for emergency relief support.

  • Call the VicEmergency Hotline 1800 226 226 (Press 0, then 1 to talk to someone) Or
  • Visit an Emergency Relief Centre.

Have personal identification (ID) with you if you can. This could be your:

  • Driver licence
  • Medicare card
  • A letter or bill with your name and address

Help and support If you need help, please call the VicEmergency hotline on 1800 226 226. Press 9 for an interpreter

Let people know you are safe 

Let friends, family and emergency services know you are safe with Red Cross Register.Find.Reunite. You can do this if you left your home, or if you are staying.  

You can register at:  

  • a relief centre  

Air Quality

You will see or smell smoke in parts of Victoria. The smoke is a result of a multiple bushfires and grassfires burning across various parts of the state.

Anyone having trouble breathing or tightness in the chest should seek urgent medical assistance and call Triple Zero (000).

Everyone should minimise the time spent in smoky conditions whenever practical to do so. Anyone vulnerable to smoke should limit time outdoors. When indoors, close windows and doors.

If you or anyone in your care is worried about symptoms, seek medical advice or call Nurse on Call on 1300 60 60 24.

Learn about how smoke affects air quality and what you can do to manage your health in smoky conditions at Smoke | epa.vic.gov.au

Travel 

Accidents are more frequent during stress. Be extra aware of how you and other people are driving. Slow down. 

Look out for hazards like damaged trees and roads, fallen power lines, exposed wires or broken gas pipes. 

Check road closures before you travel via the VicTraffic website. 

Read safety tips for returning home from the Better Health Channel.  

Power outages  

Power outage information is on your energy distributor’s website. Find your energy distributor at Energy Victoria.   

Staying safe 

The most important thing to do in a power outage is to stay safe.  

  • Make sure appliances are turned off 

  • Keep clear of fallen powerlines and keep others away  

  • Be careful with temporary generators 

If there has been significant damage to your property, ensure a licensed electrician checks it is safe to turn your power back on.  

Find other tips for staying safe on the Energy Victoria website. 

Staying cool in a power outage 

To stay cool during a power outage: 

  • wear loose fitting clothing  

  • stay hydrated 

  • take a cool shower 

  • keep skin wet using a spray bottle or damp sponge 

Where possible, keep doors, windows and curtains closed to keep cool air in and hot air out.  

If you can’t keep cool at home, think about where you can go to cool down like public pools, or air-conditioned buildings.    

Injured native animals 

If you find an injured native animal you can: 

  • contact Wildlife Victoria on 03 8400 7300  

Help for farmers 

Agriculture Victoria has advice for farmers who have experienced loss of stock or farming assets.  

Heat 

Extreme heat can affect anybody. 

  • Use air conditioning or a fan to stay cool 

  • Find somewhere you can go to cool down, like public pools 

  • Wear light and loose clothing  

  • Stay hydrated 

Hot cars kill. Never leave kids, adults or pets in cars. The temperature inside a parked car can double within minutes.   

Look out for people who might be more affected by the heat. Like people over the age of 65 years, young children or people with certain medical conditions.    

Ensure pets have access to cool, shady and well-ventilated areas and provide plenty of cool, clean water. 

Health and wellbeing  

Stress because of a disaster can cause physical, mental and emotional exhaustion.  

There is practical information and advice for: 

With the recent bushfires, it is understandable if you are feeling concerned and experiencing a mix of strong emotions or physical reactions right now.

For those who have faced bushfires before, this might be a particularly challenging time that is stirring up memories and feelings of sadness, fear, and grief.

It’s important to remember that recovery is a personal journey, and everyone experiences things differently. For some people, recovery is ongoing.

Experiencing these emotions is a normal response to such events, but these concerns may lead to other issues if they are not managed.

If you find yourself experiencing strong emotions, talking about your worries and feelings as well as remaining connected to others can make them more manageable.

It is important to identify what actions can be taken to address the source of your concerns. Seeking help is a sign of strength and often the first step in recovery.

Family violence support 

There is a link between disasters and an increase in family violence. It can happen to anyone. Call Triple Zero (000) if you are in immediate danger. 

1800RESPECT is available for free, 24/7. Even if you’re not sure if what you’re experiencing is family violence, you can talk to a counsellor and get the help you need. 

Crisis support 

If you or a loved one needs extra support, speak with a local doctor, mental health professional, or counsellor. Call Triple Zero (000) if in immediate danger. 

Lifeline offers confidential 24/7 support. They exist so no one has to go through their darkest moments alone.  

Beyond Blue can help when you need information to support others, or when you feel overwhelmed and don't know where to start. 

Donate

Make sure your donation helps where it is needed.

If you would like to support those affected by the January 2026 fires, you can donate through the not-for-profit donation service GIVIT.

Don't drop off physical donations, like food or clothes, unless you are asked to. Charities and relief centres can become overwhelmed, which takes time away from supporting community.

 

Last Updated: 10.32am 10 January 2026

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