General News
21 February, 2025
Total fire ban declared for western Victoria on Saturday, February 22
A total fire ban has been issued for Saturday, February 22.
The CFA has declared a total fire ban for much of western Victoria on Saturday, February 22.
The Wimmera, South West, Mallee, North Central and Central fire districts are covered by the TFB.
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," Mr Heffernan 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."
Temperatures are forecast to reach the low 40s in the northwest and mid 30s elsewhere.
A westerly south westerly wind change is expected to enter the far west around 5pm on February 22.
"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," Mr Heffernan said.
A total fire an 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.
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
The VicEmergency App
The VicEmergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.au
The VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226
CFA or VicEmergency Twitter or Facebook