Victoria is bracing for a day of hot, dry and gusty weather with emergency services on high alert throughout the state.
That’s especially the case in the South West, Wimmera, North Central and Northern Country forecast districts, where the highest Fire Danger Rating level of Catastrophic has been issued for January 9th.
In response, Ambulance Victoria has declared a Red Escalation, meaning paramedics and first responders within the districts mentioned are being relocated, as well as those working at locations identified as high-risk due to their proximity to bushland and limited road access.
The organisation says crews will only be redeployed into these zones in the case of serious or life-threatening illness, and only after a thorough risk assessment to consider the safety of its employees.
Meantime, V/Line has suspended all train services on the Ararat and Maryborough lines.
Train and bus services between Wendouree and Southern Cross Station are still operating – albeit under an Extreme Heat Timetable – as that line runs through the Central forecast district and is not subject to the same Catastrophic rating.
A Total Fire Ban is in-place across Victoria, including Ballarat and the Central Highlands until midnight tonight.
