Victorians should keep informed and check for the latest warnings and advice as northerly winds tomorrow are forecast to bring with them hot and dry conditions across most of the state.
Fire Danger Ratings are Very High in the Mallee, South West, North Central, Central and West and South Gippsland districts; High in the Wimmera, North East and East Gippsland; and Low to Moderate in the Northern Country.
State Response Controller Tony Murphy said although conditions are not forecast to be as severe as last week, temperatures will be up and winds will peak at certain times tomorrow.
“As hot and dry weather has hit Victoria unseasonably early this year, many parts of the state are not yet under fire restrictions, but we are asking the public to help us reduce the risk of fire and there are a few simple steps you can take to do this,” Mr Murphy said.
This includes by:
- Postponing work or activities that could result in fires in hot or windy weather
- Ensuring burn offs or campfires lit recently are properly extinguished
- Report any suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
As grasslands cure and forests dry, conditions are being closely monitored and the first municipalities in CFA’s North West Region will come under fire restrictions as of Monday.
“While there was some rain over the weekend, it failed to make much of a difference to areas that are already dry,” Mr Murphy said.
“Last week we had a very busy few days with fires and this tells us this summer will be a busy one and we need to be prepared for it.
“Victoria's fire services are asking that everyone think about where they live, where they work and where they are holidaying and that everyone understands what they need to know about fire risk.”
Mr Murphy said that while weather factors didn’t quite reach the thresholds for Total Fire Ban declarations, tomorrow was a day that Victorians should monitor closely for fires.
“We don’t want to scare people, we just want them to be aware it will be hot a little windy and we want people to monitor conditions and know where to go for information,” he said.
Due to the weather forecast, planned burning will not take place tomorrow.
Victorians can get information by tuning in to ABC local radio, or other emergency broadcasters including radio or SKY TV, by downloading the FireReady App, visiting emergency.vic.gov.au, phoning the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667or following VicEmergency or CFA’s Twitter and Facebook accounts.
Keep up to date with when the Fire Danger Period is declared in your municipality or shire by visiting www.cfa.vic.gov.au/warnings-restrictions/restrictions-during-the-fire-danger-period/
Author: CFA Media