Total fire ban in place across Victoria’s southwest as country braces for scorcher weekend

Millions of people have been urged to remain vigilant as fire risks grow, with much of the country experiencing heatwave conditions.

Millions of people are sweltering through extreme heat this weekend as the south eastern corner of the country is struck by a heatwave.

A total fire ban is in place for the Victorian south west as Melbourne’s set to peak at 38C on Sunday.

Meanwhile, a severe heatwave warning remains in place for East Gippsland, West and South Gippsland.

The hot and dry weather with fresh and gusty north-westerly winds has seen a fire weather warning issued for Mallee, North Central and Central fire weather districts for Sunday.

Heatwave conditions set in on Saturday, and will continue through Sunday. Picture: Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

The Bureau of Meteorology has warned maximum temperatures will increase from the high thirties to the low forties over the weekend.

“Minimum temperatures ranging from the mid to high teens on Saturday … (and) increasing to the high teens to low twenties on Sunday,” the warning said.

“The heat will peak on Sunday before a cool change extends from the west and eases heatwave conditions on Monday.

“Locations likely to be impacted include the Melbourne Metropolitan area, Ballarat, Moe, Mallacoota, Omeo, Shepparton, Traralgon, Wangaratta, Albury-Wodonga and Warragul.

The heat will peak on Sunday before a cool change extends from the west and eases heatwave conditions on Monday.

Things are slightly more tolerable for Sydney-siders, with the temperature on Sunday expected to peak at 31C, though Monday could see the temperature climb as high as 33 before settling into the mid-20s on Tuesday and Wednesday.

However, residents in Sydney’s west are being urged to brace for severe heat as the mercury in Penrith climbs to 37C, with a high of 39C forecast for Monday.

The nation’s capital is also set to see temperatures rise with a maximum of 33-34C predicted on Sunday and Monday.

Inland parts of the NSW South Coast are also expected to endure a heatwave, with maximum temperatures expected to reach the mid to high 30s over the weekend before a cool change late on Monday.

An extreme heatwave warning is in place for the South Coast district, with severe heatwave warnings listed for the Illawarra, Southern Tablelands and Snowy Mountains districts.

People cool off at along the Yarra River at Pound Bend in Warrandyte as Melbourne swelters through a heatwave. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Most of costal Queensland will remain around 30C across the weekend with possible light showers.

Brisbane will hit 29C on Sunday, rising to 30C on Monday.

Adelaide will feel the heat with a max of 33C, dropping to a maximum of 24 on Monday, with temperatures to stay in the low to mid-30’s over the rest of the week.

The CFA has warned the ongoing fire in the Grampians region could spread further with Saturday’s increased weather conditions. Picture: NewsWire / Diego Fedele

Perth will hit 32 on Sunday, with a maximum of 37 forecast for Monday.

A severe heatwave warning ins in place for the North Interior district of WA

With the mercury set to soar across Victoria, authorities have implemented a total fire ban for most of the state, including Melbourne and Geelong.

Country Fire Authority chief officer Jason Heffernan warned: “Tomorrow’s conditions will make it difficult for firefighters to supress a fire should one start.”

“Especially with fires in the landscape already we’re asking people to follow the strict conditions associated with the Total Fire Ban declaration.

“Understand how the increased fire risk will impact you and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.”

Originally published as Total fire ban in place across Victoria’s southwest as country braces for scorcher weekend