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Most of the state is under an extreme fire danger rating today, as forecasts predict warm temperatures paired with north-westerly winds. A gusty shift to south-westerly winds is also anticipated, heightening the fire risk.
In contrast, the South-West and East Gippsland Fire Districts are experiencing a slightly lower fire risk, rated as high rather than extreme.
A Total Fire Ban has been put into effect for several areas, including the Mallee, Wimmera, North Country, North Central, Central, North East, and West and South Gippsland regions. This ban prohibits any fire from being lit or maintained in the open air from 12:01 a.m. to 11:59 p.m. on the designated day.
Meanwhile, Melbourne is expected to see temperatures climb to 32 degrees Celsius. There’s also a significant chance of showers developing in the afternoon and evening, which could provide some relief from the intense fire risk.
The mercury is set to reach 32 degrees in Melbourne, with a high chance of showers in the afternoon and evening.
It is tipped to be even hotter in northern parts of the state, with temperatures to soar to 40 degrees in Mildura.
A high of 39 degrees is expected in Echuca, and 36 degrees is forecast for Bendigo.
In Gippsland, Bairnsdale is headed for a top of 37 degrees, with five to 15mm of rain expected in the afternoon and evening.
A cooler southwesterly change is expected to move across the south-west in the morning and hit Melbourne between midday and 2pm.
A band of rain is also expected to pass over the state in the afternoon and evening, with most parts of the state expected to pick up a few millimetres.
Bureau of Meteorology’s Kevin Parkyn warned forecast north-westerly winds “can carry fire through the landscape pretty quickly”.
“It’s the hot north-westerly winds in combination with the parched landscape that’s elevating the fire danger risk across Victoria,” Parkyn said.
“We’re forecasting north-westerly winds of about 30 to 40 km/h with stronger gusts over north-western Victoria and central parts, including Melbourne.”
Victoria had its driest start to the year since 2009, with most rainfall stations registering less than 10mm last month.
“The fuel is very dry, the bush, the grasslands are very dry and there’s much bush and grass across Victoria that hasn’t been subject to the last round of fires, so the risk is real. The risk is absolutely there,” CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said.
“We’re asking people in affected districts to strictly follow the conditions of the Total Fire Ban and think carefully about how the increased fire risk could affect them.
“Make sure your fire plan is up to date and covers all possible scenarios.”
The north-east district was already under a total fire ban yesterday due to hot and very dry conditions combined with moderate westerly winds.
Today’s extreme conditions will be a “one day wonder” according to Parkyn, with temperatures in Melbourne expected to drop 14 degrees for a top of 18 degrees on Thursday.
Three major fires are still burning in Victoria, namely the Walwa, Longwood and Otways fires. They have all been contained.
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