Total Fire ban declared for Geelong region

A TOTAL Fire Ban (TFB) has been declared for the Central (including the entire Geelong region), Malee, Wimmera, Northern Country and North Central regions tomorrow (Thursday, February 22).

The CFA issued the warning late this afternoon (Wednesday, February 21), in anticipation of tomorrow’s conditions across the state being hot and windy.

Temperatures are slated to reach the low 40s in some parts of the state.

Under a TFB, 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 TFB.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said the TFB had been declared due to the expected conditions affecting many districts across the state.

“We’re expecting hot, dry and fresh northerly winds ahead of a gusty south-westerly change. This could bring wind gusts of 60-80km.

“It will also trigger isolated showers and thunderstorms occurring around the change in the mid to late afternoon.

“Tomorrow’s conditions will make it difficult for firefighters to supress new fires that may occur but will also be challenging conditions for those firegrounds generated from last week’s catastrophic fire day.

“We’re asking people to follow the strict conditions associated with the Total Fire Ban declaration.

“Understand how the increased fire risk will impact you and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.”

Victorians can find out more on the CFA website at cfa.vic.gov.au

Victorians should also make sure they have access to more than one source of information. ‘

They include:

• ABC local radio, commercial and designated radio stations of Sky News

• The VicEmergency App

• The VicEmergency website at emergency.vic.gov.au

• The VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226, and

• CFA or VicEmergency Twitter or Facebook.