Overview
- Victoria Emergency issued the state's highest alert urging residents around the A1 Mine Settlement to leave immediately.
- The blaze, which began Thursday near Gaffneys Creek about 50 km northeast of Melbourne, remains uncontrolled in steep, remote terrain.
- Crews report partial containment on the western edge while using heavy machinery to cut lines and aircraft for direct attack.
- Police say the cause is under investigation, with Benalla Crime Investigation Unit detectives treating the fire as suspicious until proven otherwise.
- Authorities report more than 600 hectares burned with about 35 vehicles deployed, and three other Victorian fires are at Watch and Act level.