General News
16 December, 2024
Increased fire risk: back-to-back Total Fire Ban days for Wimmera, Mallee
A Total Fire Ban was declared for the Wimmera for December 17.
A Total Fire Ban has been declared for the Mallee and Wimmera fire districts for Tuesday, December 17, 2024.
The news comes as Watch and Act warnings were issued for Chetwynd, Kadnook and Powers Creek in the Wimmera's west as well as south-east of Creswick near Ballarat.
While it will be cooler on Tuesday, dry and fast wind speeds have elevated the fire danger rating in the north of the state.
The air will continue to be dry and humid with squally to gusty winds averaging 35 to 40km an hour and gusting to 50km.
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 conditions across the Mallee and Wimmera regions tomorrow.
"Tomorrow's conditions will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start," he said.
"We're asking people to follow the strict conditions associated with the Total Fire Ban declaration.
"Understand the how the increased fire risk will impact you and ensure 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.