The Bureau of Meteorology has issued a Fire Weather Warning for the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North Central, South West, Central and West and South Gippsland forecast districts for tomorrow, Friday the 4th of January.

Hot to very hot, dry and gusty northwesterly winds are forecast to develop across Victoria during the morning ahead of a cooler, gusty southwest to southerly change developing in the southwest during the morning and extending eastwards during the day.

Extreme Fire Danger is forecast for the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country and North Central districts and Severe Fire Danger is forecast for the South West, Central and West and South Gippsland districts. Across the border in South Australia the Murraylands, Upper South East and Lower South East Fire Ban districts across the border in South Australia are also rated as Very High Fire Danger.

A Total Fire Ban has also been declared for the whole of the state of Victoria on Friday and for Riverland, Mid North and Flingers districts in South Australia.

The CFA advises residents to implement their Bushfire Survival Plans and to monitor the fire and weather situation throughout the day.

Residents are encouraged to be aware of and be prepared to assist vulnerable members of the community such as the very young, elderly and unwell, along with pets.