16/02/2026
Hot, dry and windy conditions are driving elevated fire danger today. There are Extreme Fire Danger Ratings forecast in Central, South West, Wimmera, North Central, and West and South Gippsland districts. Total Fire Bans have also been declared in these areas.
Any fires in these areas will spread quickly and be extremely dangerous. This risk extends to the rest of the state, too, due to severely dry conditions.
People in the northwest of Melbourne and down to Geelong particularly need to be aware of the grassfire risk today. There is a lot of unburnt grass and bush in these areas.
There will be strong north to north-westerly winds of 30 to 40 km/h and gusts of 50 to 60 km/h. These winds could even reach up to 70-80 km/h, which will make conditions challenging. Severe thunderstorms may also bring heavy rain and damaging winds of up to 90 km/h across much of the west of the state.
This morning, you should double-check your fire plan. Remember that leaving early is always the safest option. This means that if you’re near bush or grassland in an area of Extreme Fire Danger – don’t be.
Stay informed with the VicEmergency app or at www.emergency.vic.gov.au.
