Authorities are warning of high fire danger in Victoria (file photo of Ballarat fire in February). Photo: Supplied/ Ballarat Fire Brigade CFA
A heatwave is expected to send temperatures soaring across the state today, as fire crews gear up for a challenging day of fire danger.
Some parts of the state are set to record their hottest day in years and have been issued extreme fire danger warnings.
Melbourne is forecast to hit a top of 41 degrees Celsius - the city's hottest day this year and the hottest December day since 2019.
Mildura in the north-west is expected to reach 46 degC, while 45 degC is forecast for Shepparton and Swan Hill.
On Sunday afternoon, state authorities including from the Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) held a press conference, declaring a total fire ban for large parts of the state.
These include the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, Central, North Central and South West regions.
The BOM issued a heatwave warning forecasting temperatures in the low- to mid-40s across Victoria on Monday.
The state government has issued a heat health warning, encouraging Victorians to stay inside as much as possible.
Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas also urged Victorians to check on those most at risk.
The heatwave is expected to reach its peak in the afternoon, with a cool change forecasted to ease the conditions into the evening.
'Horrendous' conditions for fire danger
Michael Efron, senior meteorologist at BOM, said dry lightning might elevate the fire risk.
"We're going to see some isolated thunderstorm activity develop over western and central parts during the afternoon and into the evening," he said.
"That could result in some dry lightning and trigger some fire starts across the landscapes."
The CFA's chief executive, Jason Heffernan, said a combination of hot, dry winds would make for "horrendous" conditions for western parts of the state.
"The bush is ready to burn … I am concerned, leading into tomorrow, it will be a hot, nasty day," he said.
"If fires do start in the landscape, they will be hard to suppress, they will spread very quickly."
Forest Fire Management Victoria chief fire officer Chris Hardman warned Victorians in high-risk areas to be proactive.
"If your plan is to leave, leave early," he said.
"It is really important that you're not leaving during the heat of the day. We don't know where and when a fire can start … you could be on the road and that can be devastating."
Fire authorities 'sufficiently' resourced
Heffernan said the CFA would concentrate its efforts on the west and south-western parts of the state.
"Resources are being mobilised across the state sufficiently so that the national large air tanker has been deployed to Albury and will be available to Victoria tomorrow," he said.
The tanker - A Boeing 737 Fireliner - is one of six in the country and can carry up to 15,000 litres of water or retardant.
Hardman said it would be joined by a large aerial firefighting fleet.
"We have 54 contracted aircraft available and those aircraft have been moved around the state to ensure they are located closest to where the risk is," he said.
"We also have repel capabilities - remote firefighters that can be dropped in via helicopter because we're going to be doing hard, aggressive attack," he said.
Heat expected to cause travel delays
Commuters have been warned to expect travel delays because V/Line will run on extreme weather timetables today.
Trains that usually travel at up to 160 kilometres per hour will slow to 90kph or less for safety as the steel tracks expand in the heat.
V/Line stated: "Journey times may be extended by a few minutes, and some services will be replaced by air-conditioned coaches for all or part of the journey."
Heffernan said while no schools had yet announced they would close due to the fire danger, he encouraged parents to get in touch with their children's educators to stay up to date with their bushfire action plan.
- ABC