Total Fire Ban declared ahead of long weekend

A TOTAL Fire Ban (TFB) has been declared across much of the state for tomorrow (Saturday, March 9), covering the Central, North Central, South West, Wimmera and West and South Gippsland fire regions because of forecast Extreme weather conditions.

Earlier today (Friday, March 8), the CFA announced the TFB was declared as tomorrow’s conditions would be hot and dry across the state, with temperatures expected to reach high 30s statewide, and low 40s in the far south-west.

A severe heatwave and elevated fire danger will be driven by moderate northerly to north-westerly winds across Victoria.

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 communities should be aware of the fire danger in the areas they are traveling to this long weekend and remain informed.

“We’re expecting 40kmh north-westerly winds across the South West in the morning with gusts of 50km/hr in the afternoon before a south westerly change later in the day,” Mr Heffernan said.

“The Central district will see northerly winds of up to 45km/hr and gusts of 80kmh in the central ranges.”

High fire danger ratings are in place across the remainder of Victoria, with widespread wind gusts of up to 60kmh expected to reach the western part of the state in the afternoon.

“We’re asking people to follow the strict conditions associated with the TFB declaration and consider the activities they plan on undertaking this long weekend,” Mr Heffernan said.

“Understand how the increased fire risk will impact you and ensure your bushfire survival plan covers all possible contingencies, and stay up to date via the VicEmergency App.”

Victorians can find out if it is a TFB on the CFA website at cfa.vic.gov.au, where it is usually published by 5pm the day before a TFB.

For more information on what you can and can’t do visit the Can I or Can’t I page on the CFA website.

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
• VicEmergency website at emergency.vic.gov.au
• The VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226, and
• CFA or VicEmergency Twitter or Facebook.