Type Status Location Last Updated
Emergency Warning - Fire - Leave Immediately Extreme Black Snake Creek, Budgee Budgee, Castleburn, Dargo, Maguires, Miowera, Waterford, Peter the Swede, Treasures, Cowa, Crooked River, Hawkhurst 31/01/2026
This Emergency Warning is being issued for Black Snake Creek, Budgee Budgee, Castleburn, Cowa, Crooked River, Dargo, Hawkhurst, Maguires, Miowera, Waterford, Peter the Swede, Treasures.

  • There is a bushfire at Dargo that is out of control.
  • The bushfire is travelling from Black Snake Creek in a north-westerly direction towards Dargo. The fire started near Black Snake Creek in Hawkhurst.
  • The town of Dargo could be impacted anytime within the next 6 hours.
Leaving now is the safest option, before conditions become too dangerous. 

Emergency services may not be able to help you if you decide to stay.
What you should do:

Travel to:
  • The home of family or friends that is away from the warning area.
  • You should leave using the Dargo High Plains Road and head towards Bairnsdale.
  • When you leave remember to take your pets, medications, mobile phone and charger.

In the car:
  • If you are travelling, do not enter the area. Make a u-turn and travel to safety.
  • Slow down and turn on your headlights. Smoke will make it difficult to see.

If you are unable to leave you should shelter indoors:
  • Close all exterior doors, windows and vents. Turn off cooling systems. 
  •  You must take shelter before the fire arrives. The extreme heat is likely to kill you well before the flames reach you. 
  •  Shelter in a room that has two exits, such as a door or window including one directly to the outside. It is important to be able to see outside so you know what is happening with the fire.
  • If your home catches on fire and the conditions inside become unbearable, you need to get out and go to an area that has already been burnt.

If you cannot get indoors, other last resort options include:
  • Shelter in the middle of a large open area like a ploughed paddock, football oval or sporting reserve. 
  • Get into a large body of water like a dam, lake, river, the ocean or inground pool.
  • Try to protect yourself from the fire's heat.

If you are caught in fire in your car:
  • Park behind a solid structure to block the fire's heat or pull over to a cleared area.
  • Try to position the car towards the approaching fire.
  • Turn on your hazard lights and headlights.
  • Close all windows. 
  • Turn off the air-conditioning and shut all the air vents.
  • Turn your car engine off.
  • Get down as low as possible below window level and cover up with a pure woollen blanket.
Impacts in your area: 
  • Trees can fall across roads and cause dangerous driving conditions.
  • Check the VicTraffic website (traffic.vicroads.vic.gov.au/) or call 13 11 70 for road closures.
  • You may be able to use a mobile phone to call Triple Zero (000) and to access information on the internet. You can listen to warning information on a battery-operated radio. 
  • Embers are being carried by the wind large distances ahead of the main fire and starting small fires.
This message was issued by Forest Fire Management Victoria.

The next update is expected by 31/01/2026 07:30 pm or as the situation changes.

Use multiple sources to stay informed:

Accessibility:
The following services can help you, or someone you know, access information during an emergency.
  • To access this information in other languages, call the Translating and Interpreting Service on 131 450 (freecall) and ask them to call VicEmergency Hotline.
  • If you are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech/communication impairment contact National Relay Service on 1800 555 677 and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.