Most of Victoria is on fire alert on Saturday with declarations of extreme fire danger in nine parts of the state. The temperature is forecast to be higher than 40 degrees in some places.
A total fire ban is in place in seven out of the nine state districts.
Fire Services commissioner Craig Lapsley said wind gusts of up to 60km/h followed by a southwesterly change in the late afternoon could fan any existing fires.
AAP reports the Country Fire Authority has declared a total fire ban for the southwest, north central, Mallee, northern country, Wimmera, northeast and central districts.
The Mallee areas, Wimmera and Mildura, Horsham and Bendigo are rated in extreme fire danger.
A severe fire danger rating is in place for the southwest, central area including Melbourne.
AAP reports Gippsland is rated very high fire danger.
