Today, Friday, December 20, 2024, has been declared a day of Total Fire Ban in the Mallee and Wimmera fire districts of Victoria.
No fires can be lit or be allowed to remain alight in the open air from 12:01am on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, until 11:59pm on Friday, December 20, 2024.
With northerly winds of around 35km/h and a strong south-westerly change forecast for the afternoon, this has elevated the fire danger ratings and risk in the west and north-west of Victoria.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the TFB has been declared due to the expected conditions across the Mallee and Wimmera regions.
“Tomorrow’s conditions will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start,” he said last night.
“Also with fires still in the landscape in the west and southwest of the state, particularly in the Grampians National Park, people need to consider their travel movements to these areas.
“We want people to continue to enjoy the start of the holiday period while also remaining alert and in tune with current fire danger ratings and warnings via the VicEmergency website or app and your emergency broadcasters.”
“We’re asking people to follow the strict conditions associated with the Total Fire Ban declaration.
“Understand how the increased fire risk will impact you and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.”
“Fireworks and open-air fires, including campfires, are completely off-limits too.”
Non-compliance with Total Fire Ban restrictions can result in heavy penalties, including fines or imprisonment.
“Staying informed and acting early can make all the difference in a fire emergency. Tune into emergency broadcasts, visit emergency.vic.gov.au, and keep updated on the latest conditions in your area,” Jason said.
Victorians can find out if it is a Total Fire Ban on the CFA website www.cfa.vic.gov.au, where it is usually published by 5pm the day before a Total Fire Ban.
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 (keep a transistor radio handy with spare batteries);
- The VicEmergency App (but don’t rely on it);
- The VicEmergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.au (but don’t rely on it);
- The VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226 (but don’t rely on being able to get through);
- CFA or VicEmergency Twitter or Facebook (but don’t rely on it).
