A Total Fire Ban (TFB) has been declared for tomorrow, Friday 31 January 2020, for the Mallee, Wimmera, South West, Northern Country, Northern Central and Central Districts (including Melbourne and Geelong).
In these districts, no fires can be lit or be allowed to remain alight in the open air, including campfires and burn-offs, between midnight tonight to 11.59pm tomorrow.
Victoria’s emergency services are preparing for a challenging day tomorrow, with the Bureau of Meteorology forecasting hot, dry and windy conditions in some areas of the state before isolated showers and thunderstorms develop in the west and extend to central districts later in the evening.
The Fire Danger Rating is Severe in the Mallee, Wimmera, South West, Central, North Central and Northern Country and Very high in the North East, East Gippsland and West and South Gippsland.
Heatwave conditions are also expected in some parts of Victoria tomorrow, with temperatures expected to hit mid-40s in the north west and high 30s to low 40s elsewhere, with little reprieve in overnight conditions.
More than 1200 firefighters and support personnel continue to work to contain the 10 going fires across the state which have burnt more than 1.53 million hectares this fire season.
State Response Controller Chris Hardman said tomorrow’s weather could create dynamic and challenging conditions for firefighters.
“We are asking people to take heed of the Total Fire Ban conditions,” Mr Hardman said.
“People need to be aware of the increased fire danger and know their fire plan.”
For more information on what you can and can't do on a day of total fire ban visit the Can I or Can't I page on the CFA website.
Victorians should also make sure they have access to more than one source of information. They include:
· ABC local radio, commercial and designated radio stations of Sky News
· VicEmergency App
· VicEmergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.au
· VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226
· CFA or VicEmergency Twitter or Facebook
-ENDS-
Media contact:
State Control Centre Media via 1300 232 633