Total Fire Ban issued for Thursday

THE CFA have declared a Total Fire Ban (TFB) for tomorrow (Thursday, February 13) for the North Central, South West and Central regions of Victoria.

Tomorrow’s temperature is expected to reach the mid to high 30s across the state, with hot and windy conditions also forecast.

Western and central areas will experience damaging gusts of 80 to 90 km/hr in the morning and early afternoon with possible showers and a serve thunderstorm behind the change.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the TFB had been declared because of the elevated fire risk.

“Tomorrow’s conditions in the central south western parts of Victoria will make it difficult for firefighters to supress a fire should one start.

“There is potential for dry lightning to come with the thunderstorms and although we are anticipating rainfall to follow them, there is still a risk of strikes causing new fire starts.”

During a Total Fire Ban, no fire can be lit in the open air or allowed to remain alight.

Mr Heffernan is encouraging people to follow the strict conditions.

“Stay well informed with warnings through the VicEmergency app and understand how the increased fire risk will impact you, ensuring your fire plan covers all possible contingencies,” he said.

For more information, head to cfa.vic.gov.au