Update: As the day progresses, reports of power outages are emerging in parts of Victoria, particularly across regional and fire-affected areas. Authorities say conditions remain volatile and further outages are possible as extreme fire weather continues.
Victorians are being urged to get “power prepared” as extreme fire weather and a statewide Total Fire Ban raise the risk of electricity interruptions. AusNet says outages are possible — and restoration may take longer than usual while crews inspect lines and confirm it’s safe to re-energise the network.
Why AusNet is warning about outages
On days of Extreme or Catastrophic fire danger, power networks face heightened risk from damaging winds, intense heat, smoke, and active fire activity. Even small faults can become serious hazards if a line comes down or equipment is damaged. That’s why utilities often operate under stricter safety protocols: it’s not only about restoring electricity quickly — it’s about restoring it safely.
AusNet has indicated it has additional crews on standby, along with specialist engineering support and aerial capability, and has cancelled planned maintenance and planned outages to keep the focus on incident response. In practical terms, that means the day’s priority is monitoring the network, responding to faults, and coordinating with emergency services when access is restricted.
If a power outage occurs during severe fire weather, customers may see longer restoration times because crews may need to inspect power lines and verify they’re safe before reconnecting supply. Where fires are burning or roads are closed, teams may have to wait until emergency services grant safe access.
How to stay informed in real time
During a Total Fire Ban day, the fastest way to make good decisions is to follow official updates: check Emergency Management Victoria warnings for fire activity, emergency advice, and evacuation messaging. For outage status and estimated restoration times on the AusNet electricity network, use outagetracker.com.au.
Tip: If you rely on mobile data, bookmark those pages now (or screenshot key advice) while your connection is strong. In major incidents, networks can slow due to heavy traffic.
Preparing for a power outage: what to do before it happens
Power interruptions don’t just affect lights — they can impact water pumps, refrigeration, medical equipment, garage doors, EFTPOS, and internet services. A few simple steps can reduce the disruption:
- Create an emergency plan so everyone in the household knows what to do and where to go if conditions worsen.
- Build a grab-and-go kit: torch, battery radio, spare batteries, first-aid supplies, and essential medications.
- Charge phones and power banks early in the day. If you have a laptop, charge that too.
- Check medical supplies and refill prescriptions where possible.
- Practice manual access: confirm you can open your garage door or gates manually if power drops.
- Water planning: if you use an electric water pump, store bottled water for drinking and basic hygiene.
If you live in a high-risk bushfire area, consider setting your fridge/freezer to a colder setting earlier in the day and keeping doors closed during an outage to protect food longer.
Life support customers: extra steps that matter
If you or someone in your home relies on powered medical equipment, the planning needs to be more detailed. Before conditions peak:
- Update your management plan and keep it accessible.
- If you require oxygen, ensure cylinders are filled and equipment is functioning correctly.
- Arrange a backup location (friend/family/hospital) you can get to if power is out.
- Ask a neighbour to check in if an outage hits.
- Keep key numbers handy (doctor, local hospital, taxi service, and AusNet emergency line 13 17 99).
If you’re unsure what level of fire danger applies to your area or whether you should leave early, follow the advice issued via Emergency Victoria and local emergency services. On catastrophic days, acting early can be lifesaving.
During an outage: safety first
- Treat all fallen wires as live. Keep well clear and alert others.
- Use torches instead of candles where possible.
- If you must use a generator, keep it outside and away from windows to prevent carbon monoxide poisoning.
- Stay updated via battery radio and official alerts; don’t rely on rumours or unverified posts.
If fire conditions worsen or an evacuation warning is issued, do not wait for power to return. Follow official instructions immediately.
What to expect when power is restored
After extreme weather or fire activity, restoration may occur in stages. Crews may need to patrol lines, test equipment, and confirm safe clearances before bringing areas back online. If your home has sensitive electronics, it’s wise to unplug non-essential devices during the outage and reconnect them once supply stabilises.
For estimated restoration times and local outage maps, check AusNet’s outage tracker. For fire updates and advice (including when to leave and where to go), keep monitoring Emergency Victoria.
You may also like
Read more on Swikblog: Latest breaking updates and live explainers
