General News
15 October, 2025
Total fire ban declared for Mallee tomorrow
The Buloke Shire, including Charlton, will be in a total fire ban tomorrow (16 October).
Residents in Charlton and the Buloke Shire will need to adhere to total fire ban (TFB) rules tomorrow as the first of the season is declared.
Conditions in the Mallee will see temperatures reach the high-30s on 16 October, with winds north to north-westerly before shifting west to south-westerly in the late afternoon, along with the chance of a thunderstorm in the afternoon and evening.
CFA Chief Officer Jason Heffernan said the TFB has been declared due to the expected conditions across the Mallee tomorrow.
“While it may look green out there, the heathlands in the Mallee and bushland around Victoria is very dry due the limited rainfall,” Jason said.
“Landowners are encouraged to check their recent burn offs from the last 24 to 48 hours due to high winds. We know burn offs can flare-up several days afterwards, so it is important residents are consistently monitoring wind conditions tomorrow.”
“We’re asking people in the Mallee to follow the strict conditions associated with the Total Fire Ban declaration.”
“Understand how the increased fire risk will impact you and ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies.”
This first TFB comes three weeks earlier than last year’s, which was declared on 5 November 2024.
The declaration follows seasonal outlooks indicating an earlier start to Victoria’s fire season, with dry conditions and below-average rainfall across much of the state contributing to an elevated fire risk this spring.
A Total Fire Ban means no fire can be lit in the open air or allowed to remain alight from 12.01am to 11.59pm on the day of declaration.
Victorians can find out if it is a Total Fire Ban on the CFA website www.cfa.vic.gov.au, where it is usually published by 5pm the day before a Total Fire Ban.
For more information on what you can and can't do visit the Can I or Can't I page on the CFA website.
Victorians should also make sure they have access to more than one source of information.
They include:
- ABC local radio, commercial and designated radio stations of Sky News
- The VicEmergency App
- The VicEmergency website www.emergency.vic.gov.au
- The VicEmergency Hotline on 1800 226 226
- CFA or VicEmergency Twitter or Facebook
Read More: Charlton