Skip navigation

Pages tagged "news"

How You Can Support Fire Impacted Areas Across Victoria

We want to extend our deep solidarity with those affected by the devastating fires that occurred across Victoria last week. Our thoughts are with everyone affected by these fires. We're collating resources from the ground and ideas on grassroots initiatives for people to support. Please add any missing in the comments so we can amplify local needs.

12 large fires burnt across the state on Friday 9 January. Central Vic, North Vic, South West Vic, South Vic, and South East Vic have all been affected. A State of Disaster has been declared in the impacted areas, with more than 400,000 hectares burnt (a total area more than five times the size of Singapore). As of 14 January (Source), 700 structures (including 228 homes) have been lost, one person has lost their life, more than 15 000 head of livestock lost (expected to climb), there has been a significant impact on local business infrastructure, and the wildlife impact is yet to be determined. 

Natimuk, about 25km west of the regional city of Horsham, lost at least 30 homes. The Longwood fire affected Euroa, Yarck and surrounds, with at least 154 structures being destroyed. Streatham has lost 59 structures, including 18 homes, while Ravenswood and Harcourt have lost 47 homes and three businesses. Yarroweyah lost 10 structures, and Walwa lost four structures and the area sustained large agricultural and planation impacts. In Mount Mercer, one house and 12 sheds were destroyed, while Kennedys Creek in the Otways and Dargo each lost one one property (as of Mon 12 Jan - Source).

The impact of bushfire smoke from these fires should not be underestimated. Smoke from the Black Summer bushfires killed nearly 450 people and affected 80% of the population. It harms human health even when the fire is burning hundreds of miles away. It can exacerbate health conditions like asthma and reduce lung function in ways that can worsen existing respiratory problems and even heart disease. If you’re in a susceptible group, decrease your exposure to smoke in the air.

And the mental health impacts should also not be underestimated. This includes that of those directly impacted by the bushfires through having to evacuate, loss of property, or their travel being impacted, as well as people not directly impacted by a bushfire event. People living thousands of kilometres away also experience solastalgia and poor mental health following bushfires. We have also included resources for mental health wellbeing below.

There may still be future fires this season, with more hot weather forecast for late January, bringing with it an increased fire risk. We encourage everyone in fire‑prone areas to ensure their bushfire survival plan is up to date and to have conversations in their community about how the community as a whole can prepare.

Solidarity through mutual aid ensures that we support communities directly during climate disasters. Below is a collection some grassroots initiatives you can support, as well as support available for those affected.

If you're donating, please consider the functionality of items and the context they're being received in, to ensure you're adding value rather than hindering the recovery. Make direct donations via the links below. Please send additions for this list to [email protected].

 

Read more

How You Can Support Fire Impacted Koolewong

 

Solidarity with those affected by the devastating Koolewong fire. Our thoughts are with those affected by these fires. We're collating resources from the ground and ideas on grassroots initiatives for people to support. Please add any missing in the comments so we can amplify local needs.

On Saturday, 6 December 2025, a devastating bushfire swept through Koolewong, Phegans Bay, and Woy Woy Bay. The blaze was fuelled by extremely hot and windy conditions, spreading with alarming speed and burning more than 129 hectares. Tragically, over 16 homes were destroyed, and many others were damaged.

The impact of bushfire smoke should not be underestimated. Smoke from the Black Summer bushfires killed nearly 450 people and affected 80 per cent of the population. It harms human health even when the fire is burning hundreds of miles away. It can exacerbate health conditions like asthma and reduce lung function in ways that can worsen existing respiratory problems and even heart disease. If you’re in a susceptible group, decrease your exposure to smoke in the air.

And the mental health impacts should also not be underestimated. This includes that of those directly impacted by the bushfires through having to evacuate, loss of property, or their travel being impacted, as well as people not directly impacted by a bushfire event. People living thousands of kilometres away also experience solastalgia and poor mental health following bushfires.

With summer only just beginning, we may be facing a challenging bushfire season. We encourage everyone in fire‑prone areas to ensure their bush fire survival plan is up to date.

Solidarity through mutual aid ensures that we support communities directly during climate disasters. Here is a collection some grassroots initiatives you can support, as well as support available for those affected.

 

Read more

Support Needed By & Available For Fire Impacted Grampians

Solidarity with those affected by the devastating Grampians fire.

Victoria has faced one of its most dangerous fire days in years, with authorities evacuating people from areas in central and western regions. For more than a week, a fire has been burning in the Grampians National Park, with more than 74,000 hectares of bushland, roughly the size of Singapore, being scorched. Considerable environmental damage has been done and while thankfully no deaths have been reported and no houses had been lost yet, as of last night, the fires are still burning and this emergency is not yet over, with emergency management stating, they “wouldn’t be surprised” if houses were lost through this fire.

In February 2024, we wrote about Grampians communities experiencing out-of-control fires after what was the worst day for fire conditions since the Black Summer. Only nine months later, the Grampians has again faced "the worst bushfire conditions since 2019’s Black Summer".

In addition to wide environmental damage and large number of wildlife affected, the fire has damaged crops and beehives, reports from farmers indicate 100s of kms of fencing burnt and stock losses, and downed powerlines and towers providing mobile networks for emergency services, as well as Optus and NBN services.

The impact of bushfire smoke should not be underestimated. Smoke from the Black Summer bushfires killed nearly 450 people and affected 80 per cent of the population. It harms human health even when the fire is burning hundreds of miles away. It can exacerbate health conditions like asthma and reduce lung function in ways that can worsen existing respiratory problems and even heart disease. If you’re in a susceptible group, decrease your exposure to smoke in the air.

And the mental health impacts should also not be underestimated. This includes that of those directly impacted by the bushfires through having to evacuate, loss of property, or their travel being impacted, as well as people not directly impacted by a bushfire event. People living thousands of kilometres away also experience solastalgia and poor mental health following bushfires.

Solidarity through mutual aid ensures that we support communities directly during climate disasters. Here is a collection of resources and some grassroots initiatives you can support, as well as support available for those affected.

 

Read more