The warning area spans communities south and east of the Carlisle River fire, including Gellibrand, Kawarren, Beech Forest, Forrest, Barongarook and surrounding parts of the Great Otway National Park, with authorities also cautioning the fire may threaten coastal communities further east if conditions worsen.

Fire officials said the blaze remains not contained and is unlikely to be brought under control before Tuesday’s heat and wind arrive, creating the risk of rapid and unpredictable fire spread. Colac deputy incident controller Alistair Drayton urged residents to enact their bushfire plans and leave early, warning that Tuesday’s conditions could see fire behaviour escalate quickly.

Fire size, timeline and what authorities expect next

The Carlisle River fire has been burning in the Otway Ranges since January 10 and has grown to about 9,400 hectares, with authorities warning it could expand further as temperatures rise. State Response Controller Jason Heffernan said favourable conditions on Monday would assist crews, but not enough to contain the fire before Tuesday, when temperatures in the area were forecast to reach as high as 44°C.

Impact assessment teams were expected to enter parts of the fireground as conditions allow to confirm whether any homes or buildings have been destroyed, amid warnings that losses were possible given the size and proximity of the fire to communities.

Evacuation routes, closures and relief support

Authorities advised people leaving the affected area to detour inland, with evacuation routes including Birregurra–Forrest Road and Forrest–Apollo Bay Road towards Colac, while noting conditions and road access may change. Police and SES crews have been doorknocking, but warned they may not reach every property in time, reinforcing the message that residents should not wait for a knock on the door.

Visitor sites in the Great Otway National Park and nearby state forests were closed until further notice, and motorists were urged to monitor official warnings and transport updates as the situation evolves.

Statewide total fire ban and smoke concerns

Victoria also faces a statewide Total Fire Ban on Tuesday, with fire agencies warning that dangerous conditions will not be limited to the Otways and that other existing fires could flare.

Health officials have also warned of very poor to extremely poor air quality in parts of the state due to smoke, with conditions expected to shift through the day as atmospheric conditions change. Residents—particularly those with respiratory conditions—have been urged to follow health advice and stay informed through official channels.

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Under the coordination of the Indian Association of Bendigo Inc., community members spanning generations, including elders, women, men, and children, have spent the past five days preparing and serving more than 400 breakfasts and 400 lunches daily for CFA volunteers, emergency services personnel, and other frontline workers.

From early morning starts, small groups of five to six volunteers worked side by side, embodying what organisers described as the Australian values of mateship, service and collective responsibility.

Feeding the frontline

A key contributor to the relief effort has been Bendigo Kebab Run, where owner Rajeev Babbar and his team stepped in to ensure no volunteer went without a hot meal.

“When we saw what our firefighters and volunteers were facing, we knew we had to help,” Mr Babbar said.

“We’re a small family business, but making sure everyone had food in their hands was the least we could do.”

The Indian Association of Bendigo described Bendigo Guzman y Gomez as “another superstar” of the response, praising the generosity shown by a local business operating under pressure.

Additional food support came from Tip Top Bakery, which donated freshly baked bread for emergency service volunteers, and Guzman y Gomez, which also significantly contributed to meal provisions.

“Community support like this keeps our volunteers going during long and exhausting days,” an association spokesperson said.

Leadership on the ground

The relief effort was coordinated by the secretary of the Indian Association of Bendigo, Ajay Mishra, whose hands-on approach saw the association present daily at the staging area.

“This has never been about one person or one group,” Mr Mishra said.

“It’s about families coming together, cooking together and standing with our firefighters and neighbours when they need us most.”

Local support was also strengthened through collaboration with Rapid Relief Team Australia, whose Bendigo operations were coordinated by local team leader Steve.

“The way the Bendigo community has rallied around our firefighters is exactly what RRT stands for — compassion, coordination and action,” Steve said.

Food supplies were further bolstered by Bendigo Foodshare, which donated essential items, including cartons of eggs and other staples.

Community-wide effort

On Saturday, January 11, volunteers prepared more than 800 meals in advance — 400 breakfasts and 400 lunches — for firefighters facing active firegrounds and challenging terrain.

Bendigo City Councillor and President of the Indian Association of Bendigo, Abhishek Awasthi, played a leading role in connecting relief efforts to areas under pressure.

“I call Bendigo home — it has given me everything,” Cr Awasthi told The Australia Today.

“At a time of need, we will not shy away from doing what needs to be done. Our homes, businesses and institutions are here to pitch in wherever required.”

The scale of the effort also drew national attention, with Prime Minister Anthony Albanese visiting the staging area during lunchtime to thank volunteers and acknowledge the community’s contribution.

Water and essential supplies

Beyond food, the community has also responded to urgent requests for drinking water, with more than 100 slabs sent to Harcourt to support impacted residents.

“Clean drinking water is the number one need right now,” a volunteer said.

“Seeing families donate and deliver supplies has been incredibly moving.”

A reflection of shared values

Organisers say what made the Bendigo response stand out was the involvement of entire families — parents cooking, children packing meals, elders supervising and encouraging — all working together in support of CFA volunteers described by many as “our heroes”.

“This is what community looks like,” Mr Mishra said.

“Different cultures, one purpose — standing together for Victoria.”

As bushfire conditions continue to challenge regional communities, the Bendigo response has become a powerful example of how local leadership, small businesses and multicultural communities can unite in times of crisis.

Support our Journalism

No-nonsense journalism. No paywalls. Whether you’re in Australia, the UK, Canada, the USA, or India, you can support The Australia Today by taking a paid subscription via Patreon or donating via PayPal — and help keep honest, fearless journalism alive.

The post Bendigo’s Indian community and businesses lead cooking, packing, and delivering 800 meals daily for Victoria’s fire heroes first appeared on The Australia Today.