Source: VIC Emergency

Watch and Act - Bushfire - Not Safe to Return

Issued Today at 12:31 PM.

This Watch and Act message is being issued for Tallangatta Valley, Bullioh, Koetong, Shelley, Berringama, Lucyvale, Burrowye, Bungil and surrounds.

It is Not Safe to Return to Tallangatta Valley, Bullioh, Koetong, Shelley, Berringama, Lucyvale, Burrowye, Bungil and surrounds.

There is a bushfire at 25km West of Walwa that is not yet under control.

The fire is still active in this area and crews are working to strengthen containment lines and conduct controlled back burning.
Works are occurring to restore essential services. Traffic Management Points are currently in place across the impacted area while roads are assessed and made safe from dangerous trees.

Community Meeting
A community meeting was held today Thursday 15 January at 1:00pm at the Mitta Mitta Multipurpose Centre, Magorra Park, 1784 Mitta North Road, Mitta Mitta. A recording of this is available on the Towong Shire Council Facebook page.
A community meeting was held today Thursday 15 January at 9:30am at the Tallangatta Memorial Hall, 30 Towong Street, Tallangatta. A recording of this is available on the Towong Shire Council Facebook page.
Community Newsletter - click here

This Watch and Act message replaces the Watch and Act issued at 6:16am on Wednesday 14 January 2026.
If you left the area, it is Not Safe to Return. Be aware of potential dangerous bushfire and tree hazards.
What you should do:

If you have not already left:
Stay where you are and avoid dangerous bushfire and tree hazards.
Check you have enough food, drinking water and medications - if you do not, phone Triple Zero (000) for assistance.
If you have already left:
Do not return to your home until a Safe to Return notification is issued.
The Wodonga Exhibition Centre at the Racecourse (Hamilton Smith Dr, Wodonga) will be open from 9am-5pm on Thursday 15 and Friday 16 January with Council Staff in attendance from Towong Shire and the City of Wodonga to provide relief information and referrals for the community.
Stay informed by listening to emergency broadcasters and monitoring warnings.
Impacts in your area:
Trees can fall across roads and cause dangerous driving conditions.
Closure to parts of the Rail Trail are in effect, please follow signage in the area.
Road closures
Murray River Road between Granya Road and Guys Forest Road
Murray Valley Hwy between Granya Road and Price Hill Lane
Tallangatta Creek Road at Soldiers Settlers Road
Shelley Road from Guys Forest Road to Murray Valley Highway.
Travel to Albury/Wodonga via the following roads:
Walwa, Tintaldra, Corryong and surrounds - via NSW roads, which can be accessed at Jinjellic Rd, Tintaldra, Towong and Towong Upper.
Granya - travel west via the Murray River Road.
Tallangatta Valley - travel west via the Murray Valley Highway.
Keep up to date with road closures by monitoring the VicTraffic website (traffic.transport.vic.gov.au) or call 13 11 70.
Information Hubs:
Corryong - In front of the IGA supermarketTallangatta - LibraryTallangatta - Tallangatta

For NSW RFS information click here or go to www.rfs.nsw.gov.au/fire-information/major-fire-updates
This message was issued by Forest Fire Management Victoria.

The next update is expected by 15/01/2026 07:00 pm or as the situation changes.

Use multiple sources to stay informed:
www.emergency.vic.gov.au
VicEmergency Hotline - freecall 1800 226 226
VicEmergency app
Facebook or Twitter (#VicFires)
ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, or Sky News TV.
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 for assistance and ask them to call the VicEmergency Hotline.

CFA Current Bushfires