Victorians urged to evacuate Otways as massive fire threatens to spread east towards more than 1,000 homes | Victoria bushfires 2026

Victoria residents in Gellibrand, Kawarren, Beech Forest, Forrest, Barongarook, and surrounding areas were urged to evacuate before sunset on Monday due to a rapidly spreading fire in the Otways national park. The Otways fire, which has burned approximately 9,400 hectares, could spread as far as Lorne, according to State Control Centre spokesperson Reegan Key. Victoria police and State Emergency Service crews are urging residents to evacuate due to extreme fire danger and the forecast of strong winds and high temperatures on Tuesday. A statewide total fire ban is in effect for Tuesday, and visitor sites in the Great Otway national park and State Forests have been closed until further notice.