THE WIMMERA, Mallee and Northern Country regions of Victoria will face severe fire weather conditions, as a heatwave and gusty winds move across the state through the week.
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Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Chris Arvier said more hot days and uncomfortable nights were still to come this week.
"There is elevated fire danger across the whole state, but the area of concern is really in the Northern District. The Wimmera, the Mallee and the Northern Country all have a fire danger rating of severe and there is a total fire ban across those districts today", he said.
"We are, essentially, in the midst of a heatwave across Victoria at the moment.
"Temperatures last night didn't really drop much below 20 degrees for much of the state, so it was a very hot night and those uncomfortable conditions continued this morning."
Mr Arvier also said residents could expect a wind change to move across the state later today.
This change is expected to bring the chance of dry lightning, with little rain forecast.
Mr Arvier said Tuesday was expected to be slightly cooler, before temperatures rose again on Wednesday.
"Wednesday will be another day of elevated fire danger ratings with severe fire conditions across the Wimmera, Mallee and Northern Country," he said.
"It'll be hot across the state once again, probably not quite as hot Monday."
Mr Arvier also urged residents to remain vigilant of those who may struggle with the increase temperatures.
"Because it is a heatwave, it does mean we see the minimum temperatures remain quite high overnight and it does mean people who are vulnerable to heat stress such as the elderly, have increased exposure to those risks," he said.
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