A Total Fire Ban (TFB) has been declared across Victoria’s Southwest, Wimmera, Mallee, Central (including Melbourne, Geelong, and the Mornington Peninsula), North Central, Northern Country, and West and South Gippsland regions for Monday, 16 December 2024.
The declaration, effective from 12:01 am to 11:59 pm, applies to the Mornington Peninsula, which is part of the Central District, and is in response to extreme fire danger conditions forecasted due to hot, dry, and windy weather.
Weather Forecast
- North Victoria: Maximum temperatures of 42-47°C.
- South Victoria: Maximum temperatures of 33-42°C.
- Winds: Strong north to northwest winds with gusts up to 80 km/h.
- Cool change: A south to south-westerly cool change is expected to sweep through:
- Southwest: 2 pm
- Further west: 5 pm
- Central parts (including the Mornington Peninsula): 8 pm
- Thunderstorms: Potential for dry thunderstorms and lightning ahead of the change, followed by wet thunderstorms.
CFA Advice
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan emphasised the seriousness of these conditions, urging Victorians to prepare:
“With strong winds and the potential for fire spotting up to 2–3 km ahead of the main fire front, any fire that starts could spread rapidly and threaten homes, communities, and lives.”
Residents in fire-prone areas, including the Mornington Peninsula, are advised to review their bushfire survival plans and be prepared to act early if conditions worsen.
What You Need to Know
- No fires can be lit or remain alight in open air, including campfires and open-air cooking.
- Activities like harvesting must be managed carefully to avoid sparks igniting dry grass.
- Fireworks are completely prohibited.
- Non-compliance with TFB restrictions can lead to heavy fines or imprisonment.
Stay Informed
- Tune into RPP FM 98.7, ABC Local Radio, commercial radio, or Sky News.
- Visit the VicEmergency website: www.emergency.vic.gov.au
- Download the VicEmergency App or call the VicEmergency Hotline at 1800 226 226.
- Follow updates on CFA or VicEmergency X (Twitter) and Facebook pages.
Prepare and Act Early
Residents in affected areas, including the Mornington Peninsula, are urged to stay vigilant, remain informed, and leave early if necessary. For more information about Total Fire Bans and restrictions, visit the CFA website: www.cfa.vic.gov.au.
Being proactive can save lives and prevent disaster—stay safe, Victoria!
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