The ABC reporting houses have been lost in towns near Seymour as a result of the Victorian bushfires.
Separately, The Guardian reports the Hume Freeway is closed, and country train services are cancelled in Northwest Victoria. (V/Line explicitly mentioned, XPT presumably cancelled too.)
"The ABC has been told a residential property in Ruffy, west of Seymour and within the large Longwood fire, has been destroyed by fire.
"Homeowner Rebekah says her property on Nolans Road, the main road in the small township, has burnt down.
"She says she evacuated with her family last night, but close relatives who live nearby told her the house had burned down.
"It's a really huge area that's been impacted," she says.
"Ruffy is a really picturesque spot [and] it's wild it's gone."
"Ruffy is located in the Strathbogie Ranges and has a population of about 164 according to the 2021 census.
"There are reports of other property losses but State Agency Commander David Nugent says he's not in a position to confirm any.
"When I look at the movement of the fires without knowing the detail, and I'm not in a position to tell you exactly what's happened on the ground there … but the details we can see here is the fire has moved in that area through that Ruffy community," he says."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-08/fire-weather-heatwave-live-blog-victoria-sa-nsw/106208762
"On Friday, a total fire ban will be in place across the entire state of Victoria, most of South Australia and four NSW districts (eastern and southern Riverina, Monaro Alpine and Southern Slopes). The Tasmania Fire Service declared a total fire ban for the state’s south and the Furneaux Islands from Saturday.
"The Hume Freeway was closed in both directions on Thursday between Seymour and Violet Town, a stretch of about 74km.
"Regional V/line train and bus services will be cancelled in fire districts facing catastrophic danger on Friday. Freight services through those areas will also be suspended.
"Public lands and parks across the state were closed.
"The potential for thunderstorms and dry lightning across much of Victoria and southern NSW was adding to concerns. Storms could bring large hail to the north-eastern ranges of Victoria, Scully said.
...
"Australia experienced its fourth-warmest year on record in 2025, with average temperatures up 1.23C nationally, according to BoM.
"The climate crisis has increased the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves and bushfires."
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/08/australia-heatwave-bushfires-victoria-catostrophic-conditions
#auspol #vicpol #bushfire #bushfires
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The ABC reporting houses have been lost in towns near Seymour as a result of the Victorian bushfires.
Separately, The Guardian reports the Hume Freeway is closed, and country train services are cancelled in Northwest Victoria. (V/Line explicitly mentioned, XPT presumably cancelled too.)
"The ABC has been told a residential property in Ruffy, west of Seymour and within the large Longwood fire, has been destroyed by fire.
"Homeowner Rebekah says her property on Nolans Road, the main road in the small township, has burnt down.
"She says she evacuated with her family last night, but close relatives who live nearby told her the house had burned down.
"It's a really huge area that's been impacted," she says.
"Ruffy is a really picturesque spot [and] it's wild it's gone."
"Ruffy is located in the Strathbogie Ranges and has a population of about 164 according to the 2021 census.
"There are reports of other property losses but State Agency Commander David Nugent says he's not in a position to confirm any.
"When I look at the movement of the fires without knowing the detail, and I'm not in a position to tell you exactly what's happened on the ground there … but the details we can see here is the fire has moved in that area through that Ruffy community," he says."
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01-08/fire-weather-heatwave-live-blog-victoria-sa-nsw/106208762
"On Friday, a total fire ban will be in place across the entire state of Victoria, most of South Australia and four NSW districts (eastern and southern Riverina, Monaro Alpine and Southern Slopes). The Tasmania Fire Service declared a total fire ban for the state’s south and the Furneaux Islands from Saturday.
"The Hume Freeway was closed in both directions on Thursday between Seymour and Violet Town, a stretch of about 74km.
"Regional V/line train and bus services will be cancelled in fire districts facing catastrophic danger on Friday. Freight services through those areas will also be suspended.
"Public lands and parks across the state were closed.
"The potential for thunderstorms and dry lightning across much of Victoria and southern NSW was adding to concerns. Storms could bring large hail to the north-eastern ranges of Victoria, Scully said.
...
"Australia experienced its fourth-warmest year on record in 2025, with average temperatures up 1.23C nationally, according to BoM.
"The climate crisis has increased the frequency and severity of extreme weather events, including heatwaves and bushfires."
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jan/08/australia-heatwave-bushfires-victoria-catostrophic-conditions
#auspol #vicpol #bushfire #bushfires
The latest update from V/Line. At this stage, other than Ballarat, Geelong, and Bairnsdale, all Victorian country trains are currently suspended:
"Due to Catastrophic Fire Danger ratings forecast for the North Central, Northern Country, South West and Wimmera districts on Friday 9 January, all V/Line train and coach services scheduled to operate through those fire districts will be cancelled.
"TRAIN IMPACTS
"Ballarat, Ararat and Maryborough
Ballarat Line: Train services will continue to operate between Southern Cross and Wendouree in accordance with the Extreme Heat timetable.
"Maryborough Line: Train services are suspended between Maryborough and Ballarat.
"Ararat Line: Train services are suspended between Ararat and Wendouree.
"Bendigo, Echuca and Swan Hill
Bendigo Line: Train services are suspended. Replacement coaches will run between Southern Cross and Kyneton only.
"Echuca Line: Train services are suspended.
Swan Hill Line: Train services are suspended.
"Geelong and Warrnambool
Geelong Line: Train services will continue to operate between Southern Cross and Waurn Ponds in accordance with the Extreme Heat timetable.
"Warrnambool Line: Train services are suspended between Warrnambool and Waurn Ponds.
"Traralgon and Bairnsdale
Traralgon Line: Train services will continue to operate between East Pakenham and Traralgon in accordance with planned works in the metropolitan area,
"Bairnsdale Line: Train services will continue to operate between East Pakenham and Bairnsdale in accordance to the occupation timetable.
"Seymour, Shepparton and Albury
Seymour Line: Train services are suspended. Replacement buses will run between Craigieburn and Donnybrook. Passengers can travel on a Metro train between Craigieburn and Southern Cross.
"Shepparton Line: Train services are suspended.
"Albury Line: Train services are suspended.
"COACH IMPACTS
"No scheduled coach or replacement coach services will operate in a fire district while a Catastrophic Fire Danger rating is in place for that district.
"Scheduled coach services that operate completely in other fire districts not declared catastrophic will continue to operate. This includes services connecting to stations on closed train lines, however there will not be a connecting train or replacement coach service available to continue your journey.
"Other scheduled coach services may also be cancelled or terminated short due to operational requirements."
https://www.vline.com.au/Service-Changes/Unplanned-Disruption-Webpages/2026/01-Jan/Catastrophic-Fire-Danger
#train #trains #rail #railway #Melbourne #Victoria
