{"id":126305,"date":"2026-01-27T11:57:30","date_gmt":"2026-01-27T00:57:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/news\/region-braces-for-extreme-heat-as-otway-fire-threat-escalates\/"},"modified":"2026-01-27T11:57:30","modified_gmt":"2026-01-27T00:57:30","slug":"region-braces-for-extreme-heat-as-otway-fire-threat-escalates","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/news\/region-braces-for-extreme-heat-as-otway-fire-threat-escalates\/","title":{"rendered":"Region braces for extreme heat as Otway fire threat escalates"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Extreme heat and strengthening winds are expected to drive dangerous fire behaviour on Tuesday, with authorities warning conditions could overwhelm firefighting efforts and place lives at risk.<\/p>\n<p>The region is bracing for severe temperatures, with Surf Coast towns including Torquay and Lorne forecast to hit 40C, the Bellarine Peninsula expected to reach about 43C and Geelong to swelter through 45C.<\/p>\n<p>More than 1,000 homes were evacuated in the Greater Otway region through Monday as the Otway fire, which has now burned more than 9,000 hectares, continued to threaten communities.<\/p>\n<p>A Watch and Act alert remains in place for Surf Coast townships including Lorne, Fairhaven and Aireys Inlet, with authorities urging residents and holidaymakers to monitor conditions closely throughout the day.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_179200\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-179200\" style=\"width: 640px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-large wp-image-179200\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/622233890_1344446721044289_5368598362255492056_n-795x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"824\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-179200\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">More than 1,000 homes were evacuated in the Greater Otway region through Monday as the Otway fire, which has now burned more than 9,000 hectares, continued to threaten communities. Photo: SUPPLIED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Colac deputy incident controller Alistair Drayton said the combination of extreme heat and strong, gusty winds could cause fires to rapidly escalate.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe are facing extreme heat and increased fire danger, with strong winds and gusty changes that will see the fire quickly become larger, fast-moving and extremely challenging to contain,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cUnder these conditions, efforts to suppress fires are likely to be ineffective.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe fire behaviour will be very intense, dangerous and unpredictable. There [is a] very high chance this fire will spread further, threatening homes, livestock, properties and lives.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_179202\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-179202\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-179202\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Geelong-City-Fire-Brigade-helps-with-asset-protection-in-Kawarren-1024x775.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"454\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-179202\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Volunteers from the Geelong City Fire Brigade help with asset protection in Kawarren, in the Otway region. Photo: SUPPLIED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Drayton warned fire-generated weather could significantly worsen conditions, with the potential for long-range ember attack.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe can expect to see fire-generated clouds driven by very intense and strong winds, which may cause spotting as far as 10km away, with thick smoke and heavy ash,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIt may impact the southern towns of the Great Otway National Park and those on the coast as far as Lorne and Aireys Inlet.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>In a video shared to Facebook, Aireys Inlet Fire Brigade caption, Adam Gilliver, said now is the time for local to prepare.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you have a bushfire survival plan, review it now and be ready to act,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIf you don\u2019t have one make a clear decision about whether you will stay or leave early if conditions worsen.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_179204\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-179204\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-179204\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/Thick-smoke-blanketed-Carlisle-River-on-Monday-copy.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"525\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-179204\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Thick smoke blanketed Carlisle River on Monday. Photo: SUPPLIED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cPlease monitor conditions closely. Increased wind, a change in wind direction, smoke or reduce visibility can all signal changing fire behaviour.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>He encouraged anyone who does not feel safe to leave early.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMany lives have been lost trying to leave at the last minute,\u201d Gilliver said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cRemember to take medications, pets, your mobile phone and a charger if you leave.<\/p>\n<p>Relief centres have been established at Colac Showgrounds, Colac Blue Water Fitness and the Grovedale Community Hub, with the Colac Showgrounds facility able to accommodate large domestic animals.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_179206\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-179206\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\" wp-image-179206\" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/618795141_1337442988422149_2749297321797302705_n-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-179206\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Efforts continue to suppress the out of control bushfire in the Otway Ranges. Photo: SUPPLIED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_179207\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-179207\" style=\"width: 600px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-179207 \" src=\"https:\/\/static.timesnewsgroup.com.au\/prod\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/01\/618264292_1337442955088819_64222070034298721_n-1024x771.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"600\" height=\"452\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-179207\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Efforts continue to suppress the out of control bushfire in the Otway Ranges. Photo: SUPPLIED<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Support is also being offered for evacuated pets, with Torquay North Vet in Winki Way stepping in to provide emergency temporary boarding for displaced animals.<\/p>\n<p>Senior veterinarian Claire Lawrence said the clinic had space for about 20 pets, with boarding being offered free of charge for evacuees.<\/p>\n<p>She asked those wanting to take up the offer to call ahead on 5296 0444, so the clinic knows what to expect.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThey will just need to call ahead to the clinic and give their details, including their pets\u2019 names and their address, and then we just ask a few questions about their health concerns,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ll look after them until they can go back to their homes.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The clinic also has a small number of transport crates available and can draw on support from a sister practice in Geelong if demand increases.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Extreme heat and strengthening winds are expected to drive dangerous fire behaviour on Tuesday, with authorities warning conditions could overwhelm firefighting efforts and place lives at risk. The region is bracing for severe temperatures, with Surf Coast towns including Torquay and Lorne forecast to hit 40C, the Bellarine Peninsula expected to reach about 43C and [&#8230;]<\/p>\n<p><a class=\"btn btn-secondary understrap-read-more-link\" href=\"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/geelongtimes\/news\/region-braces-for-extreme-heat-as-otway-fire-threat-escalates\/\">Read More&#8230;<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":216,"featured_media":126306,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[7],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":["post-126305","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Region braces for extreme heat as Otway fire threat escalates - 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