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VICTORIA is set for an early taste of summer with temperatures to hit nearly 40C in some areas today, as authorities warn of a dangerous fire season ahead.
The state’s first total fire ban has been called for the Mallee where temperatures are set to hit 39C.
Despite a relatively cool and cloudy morning, Melbourne is forecast to reach a warm 33C.
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Rainfall of up to a few millimetres has been recorded in southwest Victoria this morning and patchy rainfall is possible for Melbourne later in the day, Bureau of Meteorology duty forecaster Chris Godfred said.
There’s also the chance of thunderstorms forming in the southwest this afternoon before moving east.
Hot temperatures are set to continue on Friday, with a top of 30C expected in Melbourne and Geelong, 37C in Echuca, 39C in Mildura, 36C in Shepparton, 33C in Bendigo and 27C in Ballarat.
Victoria’s Emergency Management Commissioner Andrew Crisp said the dry winter that led to drought will also raise the fire danger in coming months.
After the Bureau of Meteorology yesterday predicted a hotter than usual summer, Mr Crisp said the conditions could transform small bushfires into much larger concerns.
“It’s a bit drier than average and that is expected to continue that way; it is warmer than average and it is expected to continue that way,” he said.
“There is the potential because of the dry land, itself — and now with everything else — that if we get fire it can become campaign fires or protracted events.”
Mr Crisp also called on Victorians to examine their barbecues and ensure they were in safe working order.
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