A Total Fire Ban (TFB) has been declared for today, Monday, 16 December, 2024, across the Mallee region due to elevated fire danger conditions.
This means no fires can be lit in the open air or be allowed to remain alight from 12:01 am to 11:59 pm.
Forecasts predict hot, dry, and windy conditions across Victoria.
Maximum temperatures are expected to reach between 42-47°C, in the north of the state including 46°C in Mildura, and 33-42°C in the south.
Strong north to northwest winds, with damaging gusts of up to 80 km/h, are expected ahead of a south to south-westerly cool change, which will sweep across the state from the southwest at around 2:00 pm, extend further west by 5:00 pm, and reach central parts of the state by 8:00 pm.
Before the change, dry thunderstorms and lightning are possible, while the change itself may bring wet thunderstorms.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan urged Victorians to take these conditions seriously and prepare accordingly.
“Total Fire Bans are declared to reduce the risk of fires starting and spreading in dangerous weather conditions,” he said.
Non-compliance with Total Fire Ban restrictions can result in heavy penalties, including fines or imprisonment.
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 5:00pm the day before a Total Fire Ban.
Image: CFA Media