CFA is urging community members in the west of the state to be on high alert tomorrow (13 February) due to a Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating in the Wimmera Region.
Due to the updated weather modelling and grassland curing conditions a Total Fire Ban (TFB) declaration has been extended for Central, South West and North Central fire weather districts tomorrow.
A Total Fire Ban (TFB) was declared earlier this afternoon for the Wimmera, Mallee and Northern Country fire weather districts.
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 Total Fire Ban.
A Catastrophic Fire Danger Rating means conditions will be the most dangerous for a fire under the new Australian Fire Danger Rating System. If a fire starts and takes hold, lives and homes are likely to be lost.
Tomorrow’s conditions in the Wimmera, Mallee and Northern Country will be hot and windy with temperatures reaching around 40 degrees and northerly winds around 40-50km/h before a gusty south-westerly wind change with wind speeds between 60-80km/h.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said tomorrow’s conditions represent the worst fire risk day Victoria has experienced since the 2019/20 fire season.
CO Heffernan said the safest option for people currently in bushfire risk areas within the Wimmera region is to start planning to leave tonight or early in the morning.
“Tomorrow’s conditions will put you and your families lives at risk if a fire starts and takes hold,” CO Heffernan said.
“Do not plan to defend your home on Catastrophic fire danger days – the safest place to be is away from high-risk areas such as campsites, parks and forests.
“Catastrophic conditions make it difficult for firefighters to control fires should one start.
“Be prepared for fire, monitor conditions and know where to get information so you can make good decisions about your safety.
“Don’t wait for an official warning before you leave, emergencies can start quickly and threaten lives and homes within minutes.
“If you are caught out and all other bushfire plans have failed, be aware of local last resort options such as Neighbourhood Safer Places and designated Community Fire Refuges.”
Victorians can find out if a Total Fire Ban is declared on the CFA website , where it is usually published by 5pm the day before a Total Fire Ban.
