Our fire today

In our code red world. I don't know what to say, other than it was under control very quickly. No air things were around that I knew about. I first heard the fire siren, then found where it was via my son at work, who thankfully gave good information. My husband checked the wind direction, and we got out the map. It may have come here or come out further down the road. Thankfully we didn't find out, even though it was very hot and there was a strong wind.

It is this advice we are struggling with. I wanted to leave, but the areas we would travel in are forested. In NSW they give suggestions. I am disappointed that there is still risk tonight. (Edited to say my husband heard on Wednesday via the grapevine that the fire was a false alarm, which would explain why it was OK under those weather conditions.)

From ABC Local News here. Posted 11 hours and 26 minutes ago
Updated 6 hours and 18 minutes ago

Fire authorities say a cool change that is due to sweep across southern Australia later today is likely to increase the risk of bushfires.

The catastrophic code red fire rating applies to the north and north-east regions of Victoria as well as most of the New South Wales south west...

The cool change due to hit Melbourne early this afternoon is not expected to reach north-eastern Victoria until around 9.00pm.

CFA Chief Fire Officer Russell Rees says the change is likely to be volatile, and communities need to stay on alert even after the temperature drops.

"The advice from the Weather Bureau is that this change could move in and out," Mr Rees said.

"So we could be in a scenario where the change comes and it recedes and the hot weather comes back and then it moves again.

"This could happen more than once, more or less like a pulsing movement of a change."

Mr Rees says the bushfire threat will linger, even when the temperature drops tonight.

"What we're saying is be really aware, don't assume that [because] the change has come everything's alright and relax."

On standby

The predicted wind change could bring gusts of 50 to 60 kilometres an hour to the 'code red' declared regions.

Authorities says that would increase the fire risk, especially if the change is accompanied by lightning.

The Emergency Services Minister, Bob Cameron, says authorities are on standby and are prepared for the worst.

"That means they've got aircraft to dispatch very quickly," Mr Cameron said.

"Obviously you will see large volunteer forces out in the event of a fire and that's why the CFA and the DSE have to prepare for the worst. "

Mr Cameron says people in high-risk regions need to take fire warnings seriously.

"If there is a fire that gets away that fire will be uncontrollable," he said.

"If you're in a high-risk zone the best place to be is just not there."

Victoria's Emergency Services Commissioner, Bruce Esplin, says authorities are well-prepared for the conditions.

But he is urging people in high-risk areas not to rely solely on websites and official warnings.

Mr Esplin says people need to be engaged with their environment.

"There's great technology there, but I think it's still important that every now and again people step outside," he said.

"A lot of people would be inside on a day like today with the curtains drawn, the air conditioner and the television on.

"But every now and again step outside, feel the winds, feel the temperature, smell for smoke, and listen for noise."

Mr Esplin says it is not only people in areas declared 'Code Red' who should be on alert.

"It's understandable that there's a focus on Code Red," he said.

"But severe and extreme fire danger ratings on days when fires can be very aggressive can be unpredictable.

"There's no room for complacency."