Midland Express

10/01/2026

The Ravenswood Fogarty’s Gap Road fire that has impacted Harcourt is not expected to expand far beyond its current footprint tonight, authorities have told residents.

The Ravenswood Fogarty’s Gap Road fire that has impacted Harcourt is not expected to expand far beyond its current footprint tonight.

10/01/2026

Coliban Water has advised customers in Harcourt to not drink tap water until further notice.

Coliban Water has advised that customers in Harcourt to not drink tap water.

10/01/2026

Stay up to date with what happening on the current fires.

There will be community meetings on the Ravenswood-Fogartys Gap Road Fire on today.

Details:
Castlemaine Town Hall
25 Lyttleton Street, Castlemaine VIC
Time: 3:00 pm

Kyneton Town Hall
129 Mollison Street, Kyneton VIC
Time: 5:00 pm

Livestreams will also take place on the following pages:
City of Greater Bendigo
Mount Alexander Shire Council

10/01/2026

Update – Saturday 10 January 📣

In response to the devastating fires impacting Harcourt and surrounding areas, please find below a summary of key information and official sources to help you stay informed.

👉 Emergency Relief Centres
Emergency relief centres are now open at:
• Kyneton Sports and Aquatic Centre
• Bendigo Showgrounds
Note: Relief centres were not opened within our shire to ensure residents left the area for their safety.

👉Power Outages
• Power outages are currently affecting: Harcourt, Barkers Creek, Harcourt North, Ravenswood, Ravenswood South, Sutton Grange, Walmer, Myrtle Creek, Redesdale and Castlemaine.
• For live outage and restoration updates, visit the Powercor website at www.powercor.com.au/power-outages-and-emergencies/live-outage-map/
• Coliban Water has confirmed a major water outage affecting all Harcourt customers. Disruptions may continue throughout the weekend.
• Updates are available at coliban.com.au/interruptions.

👉 Road Closures
• For current road closures and traffic conditions, check the VicTraffic website at https://traffic.transport.vic.gov.au/.

👉 Emergency Updates
• Stay informed with real time warnings and advice via the VicEmergency app or at emergency.vic.gov.au/respond.
• Always follow official instructions.

👉 In an Emergency
• Call Triple Zero (000).

Please stay safe, stay informed, and look out for one another.

09/01/2026

Premier Jacinta Allan has declared a State of Disaster for Mount Alexander and 17 other Local Government Areas and one Alpine Resort as fires burning across the state continue to pose risk.

09/01/2026

An Emergency Relief Centre has opened at the Kyneton Sports & Aquatic Centre to assist residents evacuating due to the bushfire.

📍 Location: 4 Victoria St, Kyneton
✅ Support available: Victoria Police and Red Cross will be on-site to provide assistance.

If you or someone you know are affected by the surrounding fires and needs help, please head to the centre for safety and support.

09/01/2026

Tomorrow has been declared a total fire ban day state-wide.

A Total Fire Ban has been declared Statewide for Saturday 10 January 2026.

No fires can be lit, or be allowed to remain alight, in the open air from 12:01 AM until 11:59 PM. more information: www.cfa.vic.gov.au/firebans

09/01/2026

⚠️POWER OUTAGE ⚠️

There is currently a power outage affecting 6,270 residents across the region, including Kyneton, Lancefield, Rochford and Newham.

It is currently under investigation by Powercor. The Estimated time of retoration is 7:30pm, however the situation could change once crews determine the fault.

Please note, landlines are down and traffic lights are not working.

Tune into emergency radio broadcasts to keep up to date with emergencies if your electronic devices fail.

Your local radio station can be found below:

https://www.emv.vic.gov.au/official-emergency-broadcasters-in-victoria
wwwludion

The Victorian government has formal arrangements with the following media outlets to broadcast emergency warnings and information to the community.

09/01/2026

08/01/2026

Victorian fire authorities have issued a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating for tomorrow, Friday, January 9, for the North Central, Northern Country and Wimmera districts.

06/01/2026

Firefighters assisted by Forest Fire Management crews worked for three hours to contain the fire which burned through about eight hectares.

Contractors working on a job at Turpins Falls using grinders and metalworking tools sparked a bushfire yesterday.