A TOTAL fire ban covering all of Victoria has been extended into Sunday 11 January.
The call comes with several uncontrolled bush and grass fires still burning across the state and is the fifth consecutive day of total fire ban in the Mallee.
Country Fire Authority Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the decision to extended the total fire ban declaration was in part due to the ongoing situation in Victoria.
“There is a lot of fire in the landscape and it’s important we reduce any risks, which is why the statewide Total Fire Ban is staying in place,” he said.
“Conditions have eased but we have a long way to go to get the current fire situation under control.
“I appreciate that a TFB can have an impact on communities and business but be assured these restrictions are reviewed on a daily basis.
“This ensures we get the right balance between mitigation against new fires in the landscape and the needs of communities.
“It is extremely dynamic and we are asking Victorians 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.”
The decision comes with a number of fires still burning across Victoria, including three in the Mallee.
They include at the Colignan where the fire is not controlled with a stay Informed advice active for Colignan, Hattah, and Kulkyne and the fire spreading into the Hattah Kulkyne National Park.
At Boinka the fire is also not controlled and listed as watch and act – threat is reduced for communities at Baring, Big Desert, Boinka, Linga, Patchewollock, Torrita, Underbool, and Walpeup, with the fire mostly contained to Wyperfeld National Park’
A third fire about 23 kilometres south-west of The Patchewollock sees a second fire in Wyperfeld National Park with a stay Informed advice for Baring, Hopetoun, Patchewollock, Yaapeet, Yarto, and Dattuck.
For the most up-to-date information on the fires across the state visit the Emergency Victoria website or use the smart phone app, as well as via emergency broadcasters ABC Local Radio, commercial and designated community radio stations, and/ or Sky News TV.
The fire danger rating for the Mallee for tomorrow, Sunday 11 January is listed at high.
