Victoria's north faces extreme fire risk

Victorians are bracing for another spell of dangerous bushfire conditions, with a
total fire ban declared for northwest Victoria on Thursday and a code red fire
warning issued for the Mallee and northern country on Friday.

The total fire ban affects the CFA's northwest fire district and includes the towns
of Mildura, Swan Hill, Ouyen, Bendigo and Horsham.
It comes into effect for 24 hours from midnight (AEDT) on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, CFA state controller Russell Rees says the Bureau of Meteorology has
indicated extreme conditions predicted for the Mallee and northern country districts
on Friday could also extend to the northeast.
"Given today's bureau forecasts for Friday are for code red conditions in the Mallee
and the northern country, we are advising people in these two districts to prepare
early," Mr Rees said.
He said residents in bushfire-prone areas need to activate their fire plan and
monitor the district fire danger ratings and daily weather forecasts on the CFA
website and in the media.
"If you live in a high-risk area and your plan is to leave, the safest option is to
leave the night before or early in the day, on a day when the Fire Danger Rating is
Code Red in your district," Mr Rees said.
He said that on a code red day people can't be sure they will be able to defend
their homes.
"Fires can spread quickly when winds are strong and you need to know in advance what
you are going to do if faced with a fire," he said.
"It is too late to decide when you see smoke or flames."
Departments of Sustainability and Environment chief fire officer Ewan Waller said
anyone planning to travel in bushfire-prone areas are reminded that the bush is not
a safe place to be.
He said parks and forests in districts with a fire danger rating of code red will be
closed as a public safety measure.