CFA has declared Victoria’s first Total Fire Ban (TFB) for the 2019/20 fire season.
A Total Fire Ban (TFB) has been declared for the Mallee region tomorrow, 24 October 2019.
Tomorrow’s conditions in the Mallee will be hot, with temperatures reaching the high 30s, paired with a chance of a thunderstorm with little or no rainfall overnight, as well as winds of up to 30kms/hour.
The combination of heat, thunderstorms and wind will significantly increase the fire risk, resulting in a Fire Danger Rating of Severe for the Mallee region.
Chief Officer Steve Warrington urged residents living in the Mallee region to prepare for the hot weather and have their fire plan ready to go.
“This is the first Total Fire Ban for this year’s fire season. We are asking all Victorians to be prepared for a long, hot summer”, Chief Officer Warrington said.
“Residents across the Mallee region must familiarise themselves with the total fire ban conditions and understand that it is illegal to light a fire or allow a fire to remain lit in the open air during a total fire ban.
“People need to be aware of the increased fire danger and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.”
TFBs mean 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.
Strict rules also apply to the operation of farm machinery, chainsaws and lawn mowers.
