A Total Fire Ban (TFB) has been declared for the Wimmera and Mallee regions tomorrow, Saturday, November 16, 2024.
Forecasts for tomorrow predict hot, dry conditions across both regions, with northerly winds reaching up to 40 km/h and temperatures peaking at 38°C in Mildura, 37°C in Swan Hill, and 36°C in Nhill and Horsham, while the remainder of Victoria will experience temperatures in the low to mid-30s.
A gusty west to south-westerly change is expected to arrive late in the afternoon, sweeping across Victoria overnight into Sunday morning
A Total Fire Ban means no fire can be lit in the open air or allowed to remain alight from 12:01am to 11:59pm on the day of the TFB.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the declaration was made due to significant risk factors.
“With tomorrow’s heightened fire danger and the potential for fire spotting up to two kilometres, conditions will create a challenging environment for firefighters and increase the likelihood of rapid fire spread if an ignition occurs,” Jason said.
“We are asking residents and workers in fire-prone areas, especially near forested regions, to be mindful of the elevated fire risk tomorrow and to avoid activities that might generate sparks or embers.
“As the harvest progresses from the northwest toward Horsham and Bendigo, there is an increased risk of ignition due to machinery and dry conditions.
“CFA is advising farmers to remain vigilant and take extra precautions to prevent accidental fires during harvest activities.
“Understand how the increased fire risk may impact you and ensure your fire plan is ready to cover all possible contingencies.”
Victorians can find out if it is a Total Fire Ban on the CFA website www.cfa.vic.gov.au, where it is usually published by 5pm the day before a Total Fire Ban.
For more information on what you can and can't do 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
- The VicEmergency App
- The VicEmergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.au
- The VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226
- CFA or VicEmergency Twitter or Facebook