{"id":104618,"date":"2026-01-26T14:42:51","date_gmt":"2026-01-26T03:42:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/goldenplains\/news\/statewide-total-fire-ban-declared-ahead-of-forecast-extreme-heat\/"},"modified":"2026-01-26T14:42:51","modified_gmt":"2026-01-26T03:42:51","slug":"statewide-total-fire-ban-declared-ahead-of-forecast-extreme-heat","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/timesnewsgroup.com.au\/goldenplains\/news\/statewide-total-fire-ban-declared-ahead-of-forecast-extreme-heat\/","title":{"rendered":"Statewide Total Fire Ban declared ahead of forecast extreme heat"},"content":{"rendered":"

A TOTAL Fire Ban (TFB) has been declared for the whole state of Victoria tomorrow (Tuesday, January 27).<\/p>\n

Victoria is expected to experience severe heatwave conditions tomorrow, with potentially record-breaking temperatures forecast in northern parts of the state.<\/p>\n

Tomorrow\u2019s conditions will be similar to those experienced on Saturday, albeit moderately hotter. Fresh north to north-westerly winds are expected before a cool change later in the day.<\/p>\n

A sharp, gusty south westerly change will reach the southwest coast in the afternoon and hit Melbourne after sunset. There is also the slight chance of dry thunderstorms over the west of the state.<\/p>\n

Extreme fire danger conditions are forecast for parts of the Central, North Central, South West, Wimmera and Mallee Fire Districts, with high fire danger expected elsewhere.<\/p>\n

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 ban.<\/p>\n

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said earlier today (Monday, January 26) the TFB has been declared due to ongoing fires in the landscape, combined with the extreme heat.<\/p>\n

\u201cTomorrow is not a day for complacency.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow is the time to have your bushfire plan ready, talk with your family about what you\u2019ll do if a fire starts, and be prepared to act early.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re urging everyone to restrict any unnecessary travel tomorrow. Farming activity should also be paused.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThose in risk areas should stay informed by using the VicEmergency app, setting a watch zone, and having access to more than one source of emergency information.\u201d<\/p>\n

A statewide Advice message encouraging people to prepare for extreme heat has been issued on VicEmergency.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt will be extremely hot with little to no overnight relief, particularly in the north and east. Make sure you\u2019re staying hydrated and checking in on vulnerable family, friends and neighbours,\u201d Heffernan said.<\/p>\n

Victorians warned of hot summer and increased fire risk<\/a> emphasises the importance of preparation for extended high-temperature events.<\/p>\n

This morning, Victoria Police and Victoria State Emergency Service (VICSES) crews began door knocking homes and properties in the Greater Otways area, urging residents to evacuate.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhile all fires across the state are being treated extremely seriously, we are particularly concerned about the Carlisle River fire in the Otways,” Heffernan said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis action is being taken to keep the community safe ahead of tomorrow\u2019s conditions.\u201d<\/p>\n

Relief information is available at emergency.vic.gov.au\/relief<\/a><\/p>\n

For full guidelines on fire ban conditions, visit the Can I or Can\u2019t I page on the CFA website.<\/p>\n

You can also check for TFB declarations at cfa.vic.gov.au<\/a>, where notices are typically published by 5pm the day before.<\/p>\n

Preparing for the fire season<\/a> highlights the need to plan ahead for bushfire risk ahead of extreme conditions.<\/p>\n

Victorians are encouraged to stay up to date through multiple information sources:<\/p>\n