Alexandra Newspapers

6 hours ago

MAROONDAH AND GV HIGHWAY OPEN TO ALL TRAFFIC FROM 9AM THURSDAY

FROM INCIDENT CONTROL CENTRE: The Longwood Berrys Lane fire has affected over 1000kms of road network, including many local roads. The fire is still listed as contained and the impacted area remains an active fireground with 85 Triple zero calls received over the long weekend for response to flare ups.

Safety for the community, and especially impacted residents and responding emergency and essential services continues to be the focus and priority. Crews have been working tirelessly on the fireground to identify, assess and remove dangerous trees along all key roads to ensure access for critical services, residents and businesses including provision of safe access for ambulances, police, school buses, deliveries of hay and fodder, and crews working to restore power and water. Such trees have either been destroyed or partially damaged by fire such that they cannot safely remain untreated along the roadside.

Major damage has occurred to road surfaces and infrastructure including destruction of and damage to guardrails and barriers, guideposts, speed and hazardous road signage, bridges, reflective studs and other important road safety features. These impacts directly compromise safety for road users, especially at night and for those unfamiliar with local road conditions.

Four Councils (Mitchell, Mansfield, Murrindindi and Strathbogie, the Department of Transport and Planning are working collaboratively and productively with emergency services to restore road access. Initial hazardous tree work has now been completed, with secondary road assessments now being undertaken by local councils and road authorities. This work requires the movement and removal of the dropped hazardous trees, as well as road surface repairs and reestablishment of critically-important road safety infrastructure such as signage, posts, guardrails and culverts.

As such, many main and local roads remain closed to the general public to ensure that these works can be completed as soon as possible. This also ensures that minimal traffic is in the affected area while works are taking place, ensuring prompt and easy access is available to those who need it most – local residents and emergency services. The Department of Education is also supporting work to restore school bus routes within the affected area so that children can attend school safely this week for the start of term one.

In the midst of a severe heatwave and elevated fire danger, this remains a complex and evolving situation with hotspots across the fireground being managed by crews and the risk of further fire in the landscape. Protection and preservation of life is paramount which means that closures and access limitations to anyone other than local residents and emergency services will remain in place until the safety of general road users including visitors and tourists can be assured.

In good news from the fireground today, The Goulburn Valley Highway, the Maroondah Highway and the Euroa-Mansfield Road will reopen to all road users at 9:00am on Thursday 29 January 2026.

Visitors are welcome and encouraged to come to the area to support local communities and businesses where it is safe and appropriate to do so but are asked to do so with respect and consideration for those impacted by fire.

It is understood that communities, businesses and visitors alike are keen to access the area. It is also a priority of those involved with response and recovery efforts to see the community

thriving again with the support of visitors as soon as possible. However, safety of road users is the first and most important priority.

Many staff and volunteers within the Seymour ICC and local Councils, and those working on the fireground are members of the local community, including some personnel who have been directly impacted. As such, there is a strong appreciation of the many impacts of this fire on the community, including the economic effects felt by local businesses. The Seymour ICC has been using local suppliers and resources wherever possible to support local businesses and organisations during this time of disruption.

Response agencies also greatly support the incredible generosity of local business and organisations supporting our crews out on the fireground.

In closing, Incident Controller Peter Bell and the Seymour ICC team would like to thank media representatives and outlets for working diligently with emergency service agencies in recent day and those to follow to ensure critical messaging, like this update, can be communicated as widely as possible to those within and beyond the fireground. ... See MoreSee Less

Alexandra Newspapers updated their status.

19 hours ago

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Alexandra Newspapers

20 hours ago

LONGWOOD BUSHFIRE - ROAD CONDITIONS REMAIN DANGEROUS - TRAVEL ONLY IF NECESSARY

PRESS RELEASE: Murrindindi Shire Council is urging residents and organisations providing relief and recovery services to take extreme care when travelling in and around fire-affected areas, with road conditions remaining hazardous following the recent fire.

While some roads have reopened under restricted conditions, more than 450 kilometres of local roads remain legally closed and are accessible only to authorised emergency and response services. These closures apply to all members of the public, including residents, property owners and visitors, due to significant and ongoing safety risks.

Residents seeking to return to damaged or destroyed properties should not enter closed roads unless formally authorised, as these roads have not been deemed safe for travel, and access is not permitted under current emergency restrictions.

Visitors are welcome to the wider region; however, they must not attempt to access closed local roads in the Longwood fire‑affected area. Access to these roads remains strictly limited, and conditions are unpredictable and hazardous.

Community safety remains the highest priority and Council is working closely with the Incident Control Centre to assess damage, clear hazards and progressively re-establish safe access to roads impacted by the fire. Residents are strongly encouraged to travel only on approved routes, including major roads and key connecting roads that have been inspected, made safe or opened under restricted access.

Roads outside the fire impacted area remain open with travellers encouraged to monitor VicEmergency and check VicTraffic prior to travel.

There are many crews working across the road network, including arborists, specialist tree contractors, bridge assessors, engineers and construction workers. These complex assessments take time, and the community’s patience is greatly appreciated.

Driving conditions after dark are extremely dangerous and should be avoided unless absolutely necessary. Fire has destroyed critical road safety infrastructure including reflectors, barriers, signage and line marking, making navigation difficult, particularly at night.

There is also a significant risk of livestock and native wildlife moving freely across roads due to damaged or destroyed fencing. These hazards may be difficult to see, especially in low light.

Road conditions can change at any time. A road may reopen and then close again if additional trees fall or further damage is identified. There will be a high volume of heavy machinery and crews on local roads as fallen trees and debris are removed. Drivers are asked to remain alert and patient, and not to overtake unless it is safe to do so.

Council will continue to provide updates as inspections and clean-up efforts progress.

Tourists and visitors are actively encouraged to explore areas of the region outside the fire-impacted zones and enjoy the diverse experiences available. Council’s web site, Discover Dindi and the Tourism North East app are valuable resources when planning travel, alongside VicEmergency.

Mayor of Murrindindi Shire Council, Cr Damien Gallagher, said the safety of the community must come before convenience.

"While we understand the desire to return to normal travel as quickly as possible, the reality is that many roads in the Longwood fire-affected area remain unsafe and unpredictable,” Cr Gallagher said.

“Trees can fall without warning, road surfaces and safety infrastructure have been damaged, and conditions can change at any time. We are asking people to travel only if necessary, stick to approved routes, and avoid driving after dark wherever possible.

“Our crews are working closely with partner agencies to inspect and clear roads as safely and quickly as they can, and I thank the community for their patience and cooperation as this critical work continues.”

For the latest information on road closures and conditions, visit: murrindindi.vic.gov.au/longwoodfire ... See MoreSee Less