Total Fire Ban declared for tomorrow

A Total Fire Ban (TFB) has been declared for the Central Fire District tomorrow, Saturday, March 18.

Tomorrow’s conditions across the district will be hot with temperatures reaching up to high 30s and winds of up to 45km/h.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said tomorrow’s conditions could make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start.

“We are asking people to take heed of the Total Fire Ban conditions,” he said.

“People need to be aware of the increased fire danger and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.

“Anyone who has been issued a permit to burn in these areas must postpone these fuel reduction activities until after the Total Fire Ban, as per the conditions of the permit.”

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.

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.

Those using the weekend to explore the great outdoors, especially for camping, cannot light a campfire on a day of Total Fire Ban within the affected fire districts.

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