Bushfire and cyclone live updates: Ten major bushfires still burning in Victoria; Flood warnings as ex-Cyclone Koji downgraded
KEY UPDATES
Welcome to our live coverage of two major events in Australia today as devastating bushfires burn in Victoria and a tropical cyclone hits Queensland.
Ex-Tropical Cyclone Koji has crossed the Queensland coast and is now a tropical low. Meanwhile, there are still a number of out-of-control bushfires raging in Victoria.
You can follow all the latest developments below.
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We'll pause this live news blog here.
We'll return to blogging if there are any major developments on the Victorian bushfires or the cyclone in Queensland.
In the meantime you can follow our updates on the fires and cyclone cyclone.
Keep an eye on 9News, nine.com.au and the 9News app for more.
Fire bans for tomorrow
A fresh fire ban has been issued for a large part of Victoria for tomorrow.
It covers the north-east and north central districts.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the ban had been declared due to the fires still burning.
"Despite conditions easing we still need to mitigate all the risk we can so our focus can stay on the fires we already have in these districts," he said.
Conditions are expected to ease tomorrow.
Flash flood warning for locals near Rockhampton
Central Highlands Regional Council has issued a warning for increased rainfall and possible flash flooding in the Rubyvale and Sapphire areas of Queensland.
"Monitor conditions and warn neighbours if safe to do so," Queensland Police said.
The region is near Rockhampton and south of Mackay.
Locals lose everything as fires continue to burn
Pic shows Ann and Jaime Laherty-Hunt's property destroyed by the bushfire on Longwood Ruffy Rd near Ruffy. 10 January 2026. Photo: Eddie Jim. ( Golden Retriever Barry and Poodle Millie ) Eddie Jim.
Bushfires January 2026. Fire tore through the tiny central Victorian goldfields town of Harcourt. Dozens of homes appear to have been lost. Seen here Brian Nunn and Gary Selwood inspect the remnants of the Harcourt Co-operative Coolstores. Photo by Jason South. 8th January 2026. Photo by Jason South. 8th January 2026. Jason South
Huge rainfall hits far north Queensland
About 370mm of rain has fallen on some areas west of Mackay, the BOM says, and much more is on the way.
"The low will continue to move south south-west at a steady pace for around about 18km/h and it will continue to produce heavy rainfall," a spokeswoman warned.
"And in some areas local wind gusts to around 90km/h. So that's a damaging wind gusts."
Grim news for farmers
Thousand of cattle have been killed in the floods.
Up to 45,500 head of cattle have so far been reported as lost, the premier said, but the number is expected to rise.
"The economic impact for western Queensland because of how important agriculture is to underpin those communities will be large," the premier said.
"We're continuing to supply fodder and we are also bringing in veterinary supplies to try to deal with things like bacteria and pneumonia, which is a real risk for beasts when they're standing in the water.
"We're doing everything we can to try to spare as many of those as possible and help those primary producers."
Tropical Cyclone Koji has strengthened to a Category 2 storm and is forecast to cross the Queensland coast, near Ayr, north of Bowen, in the early hours of Sunday morning. 9News
Rescues made amid wild weather in Queensland
Rescues related to the ex-tropical cyclone include a woman and two children who had to flee their car after driving into flood waters.
They had been led to the location by Google Maps.
Two men also had to be rescued after their boat sank in the wild weather.
Flood warning for ex-cyclone hit areas
Queensland Premier David Crisafulli has warned that while the ex-tropical cyclone has been downgraded, heavy rain and flash flooding is still a risk.
"They are swollen catchments and in the hours and in the days ahead there's expected to be significant rainfall still to come," he said.
He said strong winds are also having an effect.
He said the highest wind speed, which occurred just before 9.30am as the system crossed the coast, was recorded as 113km/h at Hamilton Island.
"That's a significant wind speed."
Smoke smells in Sydney
Sydneysiders can smell smoke likely from the Victorian bushfires.
In some parts of the city the air quality has dropped to 'fair' according to officials.
After a sweltering day over 40 degrees the city is now seeing temperatures in the much cooler low 20s.
SMH: Daily Life at Mrs Macquaries Chair and Sydney Opera House on a cool Sunday following Sydneys hottest day in 6 years. Sunday 11, January 2026 photo: Oscar Colman Oscar Colman
Wildlife sanctuary destroyed by fire
A fundraiser has raised over $200k after a veteran wildlife rescuer lost her home and sanctuary.
Dr Robyn Coy ran Tarcombe Wildlife Shelter which has been destroyed in the Longwood fire.
The 69-year-old was only able to save a dog and a handful of other animals.
"She saved what she could with her bare hands and her own body. She would have stayed.
"She would have died with them if her brothers had not physically come and taken her away," the page reads.
The fire is burning east of Bendigo, about two hours from Melbourne.
A GoFundMe has been launched.
Dr Robyn Coy ran Tarcombe Wildlife Shelter which has been destroyed in the Longwood fire. Supplied
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