General News
21 February, 2025
Total Fire Ban declared
A Total Fire Ban (TFB) has been declared for the Wimmera, Mallee, South West and Central regions for tomorrow, Saturday February 22.
Dry, hot and windy conditions are expected tomorrow and will drive elevated dire danger across the state with temperatures reaching 40s in the northwest and mid 30s elsewhere.
Damaging northerly winds are predicted reaching an average of 30km/hr in the west and central parts with gusts up to 100km/hr.
A westerly south westerly wind change is expected to enter the far west unusually late around 5pm, before stalling overnight and pushing through Melbourne late Sunday morning.
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.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the TFB has been declared due to the expected forecast that could present challenging fire behaviour over the next two days.
“Tomorrow’s conditions in several parts of the state will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start,” he said.
“We are also seeing the potential for dry thunderstorms in the northwest later in the day that could result in dry lightning strikes hitting the ground and ultimately causing new ignitions and concerns for firefighters.
“We’re asking people to follow the strict conditions associated with the TFB declaration, stay well informed with warnings through the VicEmergency app and understand how the increased fire risk will impact you, ensuring your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.”
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 are always encouraged to have access to more than once source of information.
They include:
ABC local radio, commercial and designated radio stations of Sky News
VicEmergency App
VicEmergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.au
VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226
CFA or VicEmergency Twitter or Facebook