For the first time in more than 40 years, the nightmare has returned. A massive wall of fire is racing straight toward Gellibrand, forcing residents into a desperate overnight evacuation.

And now, a new official update on casualty figures has left the entire state of Victoria devastated as the January 2026 bushfire crisis claims more lives and destroys communities across the region.

As temperatures soared to unprecedented levels—hitting a preliminary state record of 48.9°C in Walpeup and Hopetoun—the Carlisle River bushfire in the Otways Ranges has become the epicenter of terror for south-western Victoria. This blaze, which ignited around January 10 and remained contained until it breached lines over the weekend, has exploded in size and ferocity, driven by extreme heatwave conditions not seen since the Black Saturday fires of 2009.

The Inferno Approaches Gellibrand

In the quaint Otways town of Gellibrand—normally a peaceful tourist haven with its riverside pub, general store, and surrounding farms—the scene has transformed into something apocalyptic. A towering wall of flames, fueled by dense stringybark forests and gusty northerly winds, has surged toward the community, prompting frantic evacuations.

Emergency warnings escalated rapidly. On Monday, January 26, authorities urged residents of more than 1,100 properties in Gellibrand, Kawarren, Beech Forest, Forrest, Barongarook, and surrounding areas of the Great Otway National Park to evacuate before sundown. Door-knocking by Victoria Police, Country Fire Authority (CFA) volunteers, and State Emergency Service teams reinforced the message: leave now or face life-threatening danger.

By early Tuesday, January 27, the situation deteriorated further. An emergency warning shifted to “shelter in place” for key areas including Gellibrand, Barongarook, Barongarook West, Kawarren, Carlisle River, and Gerangamete. Firefighters reported the blaze traveling north-easterly directly toward Gellibrand and Kawarren, with spot fires erupting from ember attacks. “It is too late to leave the area,” VicEmergency advised, urging residents to take immediate shelter indoors, away from windows, and prepare to defend if necessary.

The fire’s behavior has been unpredictable and terrifying. Winds reaching 60-70 km/h pushed the front forward, creating a “massive wall of fire” that residents described as a roaring inferno consuming everything in its path. Firefighters on the ground battled exhaustion in blistering heat, while aerial tankers and helicopters dropped water where conditions allowed. Yet, the extreme temperatures made containment nearly impossible, with the blaze consuming around 9,400 hectares and continuing to grow.

Local stories highlight the human toll. Gellibrand resident Rob Murphy stayed to help at the Gellibrand River Hotel Pub while his own farm lay in the fire’s path. Cherry Smith, owner of the Gellibrand River General Store, and her family chose to defend the community hub, serving food and drinks to exhausted firefighters. “We just feel like it’s really important to defend the building,” she said. “Being a bit of a hub of the community, we sort of feel we can help.”

Many others fled with little more than essentials, seeking refuge in relief centers at Colac Showgrounds and Colac Neighborhood Centre. Overnight, about 120 people sheltered there after earlier evacuations.

Broader Devastation Across Victoria

The Carlisle River fire is just one of six major blazes ravaging the state. Others burn near Longwood (central Victoria), Walwa (northeast near the NSW border), Harcourt, and additional sites. Cumulatively, these fires have scorched over 400,000–500,000 hectares—more than five times the size of Singapore—destroyed hundreds of structures (including an estimated 338 homes and over 500 total buildings in some assessments), and claimed livestock in the tens of thousands (more than 15,000 reported dead or lost).

The heatwave amplified every blaze. Records tumbled as temperatures pushed past 2009 Black Saturday marks in multiple locations, including Mildura (48.4°C), Horsham (47.8°C), and others. Climate scientists noted that such events are becoming less rare due to human-caused climate change, with one study finding early January heatwaves five times more likely.

The Heartbreaking Casualty Update

As the fires raged, a grim new official update shattered Victoria. Authorities confirmed additional fatalities linked to the crisis, pushing the statewide death toll higher and leaving communities in mourning.

While earlier reports pegged the confirmed toll at one—a cattle farmer named Maxwell Hobson, killed in the Longwood fire—updated figures revealed more lives lost. Sources indicated at least five deaths by mid-January, including one from the Longwood blaze and others potentially tied to heat-related incidents or fire entrapment. In the Otways specifically, preliminary assessments noted property losses (at least three homes confirmed destroyed in the Carlisle River fire), but the human cost has mounted with the rapid escalation.

The update has devastated the state. Families grieve, and questions swirl about preparedness amid extreme conditions. One man in his 60s was found dead in a vehicle near Harcourt, though not directly fire-related; other incidents involve suspected medical episodes amid the chaos. Firefighters have also suffered, with reports of hospitalizations for burns, injuries, and exhaustion.

Premier Jacinta Allan announced expanded emergency grants—up to $52,250 for uninsured residents rebuilding homes—and launched the 2026 Victorian Bushfire Appeal. Federal and state governments pledged millions for recovery, including power outage support and agricultural aid. Yet, for many, the losses feel irreparable: homes gone, farms ruined, loved ones missing or deceased.

Echoes of Black Saturday

This crisis evokes painful memories of Black Saturday 2009, when 173 people perished in Victoria’s worst bushfire disaster. Then, as now, extreme heat, wind, and fuel loads combined lethally. The 2026 season arrived earlier and fiercer, with fires burning through summer’s peak.

Experts warn of long-term impacts: scorched ecosystems in the Otways National Park, economic hits to tourism and farming, and mental health strains on survivors. Smoke blanketed Melbourne and regional areas, degrading air quality and forcing health alerts.

Fire services remain stretched. Chief Fire Officer Chris Hardman called the Carlisle River fire the “primary fire of interest,” noting heat made operations “incredibly difficult.” Containment efforts continue, but a wind change offers slim hope.

Resilience Amid Ruin

In Gellibrand and beyond, acts of courage shine through despair. Neighbors check on the vulnerable, strangers open homes, and volunteers fight on. The general store stays open for firefighters; pubs become refuges.

As Victoria braces for what may come next—potential spread toward Lorne, Aireys Inlet, or the Great Ocean Road—the state unites in grief and determination. The nightmare has returned, but so has the unbreakable spirit of those who call this land home.

The road to recovery will be long. For now, eyes remain on the flames, prayers on the missing, and hope that cooler changes arrive soon.