Anticipated conditions resulted in Total Fire Ban

The weather conditions were hot and dry, with temperatures reaching the high 30s to mid 40s.

Gusty winds of 70 to 80 km/h were also anticipated.

A Total Fire Ban means no fire can be lit in the open air or can be allowed to remain alight from 12.01am to 11.59pm on the day of the ban.

CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the ban was declared due to the expected weather conditions.

“(The) conditions will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start,” Mr Heffernan said ahead of January 27.

Victorians can find out if a Total Fire Ban has been issued by checking the CFA website at www.cfa.vic.gov.au/, where anticipated bans will most often be published by 5pm the day before they are set to be.