Extreme weather forecast Wednesday

State Controller Russell Rees said this morning’s forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology had not changed significantly overnight and the Fire Danger Rating was expected to be extreme for the Wimmera and Western districts on Wednesday.

Elsewhere across the state, the Fire Danger Rating is forecast to be severe in the Mallee, North Central and Central regions, very high in the Northern Country, West Gippsland and East Gippsland and high in the North East.

With temperatures expected to reach the high 30s to low 40s in some places tomorrow, Mr Rees said emergency services were prepared for the day. The State Emergency Management team met this morning and Area of Operations controllers will be in place for tomorrow.

CFA and MFB brigades and DSE firefighters will be on standby and Mr Rees urged communities to ensure they were also prepared.

“A forecast of extreme or severe still presents significant fire risk for communities,” he said. “Just because conditions aren’t Code Red (catastrophic) doesn’t mean people don’t need to be vigilant and prepare.

“Everyone who lives in a bushfire-prone area needs to put their Bushfire Survival Plan into place and decide today what they are going to do.

“If you live in a high-risk area and if your plan is to leave, then on extreme days the safest option is to leave early in the day.  On Code Red (catastrophic) days we recommend you leave the night before or early in the morning,” Mr Rees said.