A TOTAL Fire Ban (TFB) has been declared for the Mallee, Wimmera and Northern Country regions, and Southern Riverina in NSW, today.
Today’s conditions in the Mallee, Wimmera and Northern Country will be hot and dry, with temperatures reaching as high as 45 degrees in Mildura and only a few degrees cooler across the rest of the north, including 44 in Swan Hill.
Fresh to strong and gusty winds have been forecast, and a chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening. Particularly gusty winds are expected in the north west.
The combination of heat, strong winds and chance of thunderstorms will significantly increase the fire risk, resulting in a Fire Danger Rating of Extreme for the Mallee region, and Severe for Northern Country and Wimmera. The Fire Danger Rating will be High across North Central, North East and East Gippsland, and Low to Moderate in the south of the state.
Acting Chief Officer Alen Slijepcevic said the weather conditions meant an elevated fire risk across the north west.
“Tomorrow, the Mallee district will reach an Extreme Fire Danger Rating for the first time this season due to the forecasted gusty winds and increased grassland curing in the area,” A/CO Slijepcevic said on Friday.
“Northern Country and Wimmera will also experience elevated dangerous fire conditions, with a Severe Fire Danger Rating.
“As a result, we have declared a Total Fire Barn across all three weather districts.”
TFBs mean 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.
Strict rules also apply to the operation of farm machinery, chainsaws and lawn mowers.
Meanwhile, a TFB has been declared in the Southern Riverina, which encompasses Murray River municipality.
A harvest safety alert was issued for the Mid Murray Zone by Rural Fire Service NSW (RFS).
“Due to the increased risk of fire in the Mid Murray Zone, the NSW Rural Fire Service (NSW RFS) is requesting harvest operators immediately stop and check local weather conditions before deciding whether it is safe to continue harvesting,” it said in a statement on Saturday.
“Those conducting harvesting are advised to do the follow stop: stop harvesting operations; check: check weather conditions, check the grain harvesting guide, and check your equipment, and; decide: only resume operations if safe to do so and regularly reassess the conditions.
“Under the current conditions, fires will start easily and spread rapidly. They have the potential to threaten life and property, as well as destroying millions of dollars’ worth of crop and equipment.”
