The smoke plume from the latest bushfire in Victoria's Grampians National Park now stretches around 500 kilometres, as south to southeasterly winds blow smoke all the way to MacCabe Corner – the name for the spot where the NSW, Vic and SA borders intersect.

The smoke is from a fire on the western flank of Grampians National Park which is currently out of control. Residents of the rural localities of Mooralla and Woohlpooer were told to leave the area on Thursday morning.

This is one of several bushfires currently burning in parched western Victoria, a region which has seen numerous serious blazes already this summer – with the Mallee, Wimmera and South West forecast districts the most heavily impacted.

Image: This was the summer bushfire outlook published by The National Council for Fire and Emergency Services (AFAC) in November, 2024. The predicted increased fire risk for western Victoria has proven to be accurate. Source: AFAC.

Six weeks ago when the last huge bushfire raged in the Grampians, Weatherzone broke down the 2024 rainfall in towns located immediately north, south, east and west of the area to reveal significant 12-month deficiencies across the entire region.

READ OUR STORY FROM DECEMBER 2024: Severe rainfall deficiency behind Grampians bushfire 

That dry trend has continued into January 2025, with all four towns mentioned in our story (Hamilton, Horsham, Ararat and Edenhope) experiencing significantly below-average rainfall for January 2025 to date, with just one day left in the month.

The concerning news for western Victoria and other parts of the state is that worsening fire weather conditions lie ahead, as temperatures soar and winds strengthen from the north and northeast into the weekend.

Quick mud map of my parents farm, 700ha burnt, 13km of fire edge, 9 km boundary fence to replace. Little Desert, Duchembegarra
No people, livestock or buildings. We're calling that a win. pic.twitter.com/byBX8ysshJ

— Sarah Ellis (@SarahEllisWW) January 29, 2025

For a four-day spell from this Saturday, February 1, through to next Tuesday, February 4, maximums in the mid-to-high 30s can be expected for almost all of Victoria – while maximums will reach 40°C or higher in the state's northwest corner.

This will be a potentially dangerous spell of weather lasting several days, so please keep checking the latest info on the Vic Emergency: Incidents and Warnings page.

You can also check the latest Victorian fire danger ratings at the CFA.