General News
22 November, 2024
Total Fire Ban announced for Wimmera and Mallee
A Total Fire Ban (TFB) has been declared for the Wimmera and Mallee tomorrow, November 23.
Tomorrow's conditions will be hot and dry statewide with extreme fire danger in the Wimmera and Mallee with Victorians set to feel the heat as temperatures reach into the high 30s in the northwest and west.
Light to moderate northerly winds of up to 40km/hr are expected in the Wimmera and Mallee before a south-westerly wind change will bring cooler conditions by the early evening.
No fires can be lit in the open air or allowed to remain alight from 12.01am to 11.59 on a TFB day.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the TFB has been declared due to the expected conditions across the Wimmera and the Mallee tomorrow but encourages all Victorians to be aware of the risks in their local areas.
“Tomorrow’s hot and dry conditions right across the state will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start,” Jason said.
“We saw significant fire activity over the weekend and remind all residents who are preparing their properties ahead of the fire danger period to make sure they are extinguishing properly and are closely attending to their burns.
“If possible, we urge people to postpone burns if they can.
“As harvest activity progresses, particularly in the Mallee, we advise farmers to remain vigilant and take extra precautions to prevent accidental ignition in the drier conditions.
“We’re asking people to follow the strict conditions associated with the TFB declaration and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.”
TFB are published on the CFA website (www.cfa.vic.gov.au) by 5pm the day before.
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.
This includes:
ABC local radio, commercial and designated radio stations of Sky News
The VicEmergency App
The VicEmergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.au
The VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226
CFA or VicEmergency Twitter or Facebook