Emergency controllers are urging residents to monitor weather reports and follow health and safety advice as the mercury is set to soar past 40C this week.
Today’s temperature is expected to hit 46C, while tomorrow looks set to reach a top of 42C and Friday 40C.
Saturday and yesterday were Total Fire Ban days and it is likely today will be as well, so Echuca CFA is urging people to be vigilant and reduce fire risks.
Captain Rob Amos advised residents to get their evaporative coolers checked to make sure they were in good working order.
‘‘Because the heat is lasting for such a long time, people are leaving their air-conditioners on all day and overnight,’’ he said.
On Sunday night, fire crews were called to a house in Echuca West after its evaporative cooler burnt out.
‘‘No-one was home and people were walking past and saw smoke coming out and the alarm was going off,’’ he said.
‘‘It was lucky it didn’t end up as a house fire.
‘‘We’ve had several of these over summer. We just want people to be aware and to get them checked if they haven’t already.’’
Mr Amos said during Saturday’s Total Fire Ban Day, fire crews were called to the Echuca-Moama bridge after a holidaymaker lit a campfire on the side of the river.
‘‘It was just bizarre how someone could do this,’’ he said.
‘‘When things like this happen, we call the police. There is no negotiating.’’
Mr Amos said Saturday was a particularly risky day for bushfires to occur because of the huge wind storm that afternoon.
‘‘We’re telling people that if they see smoke to call 000 immediately so we can get onto it straight away,’’ he said.
Fire investigators are still determining the cause of a 1.5ha grass fire at Echuca Village Reserve on Wednesday last week.
About eight CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria appliances and a water-bombing chopper from Shepparton battled the blaze in Lady Augusta Rd, which took about 40 minutes to bring under control.
‘‘No buildings were damaged and the fire was contained quickly,’’ Mr Amos said.
As well as reducing fire risks, Mr Amos urged residents to check on their neighbours, especially the elderly, and keep their pets cool during the extreme heat.
Peole are being advised to stay well-hydrated, avoid alcohol and hot or sugary drinks, limit physical activity, try to stay out of the sun during the hottest part of the day and wear light, loose-fitting clothing made from natural fibres like cotton.
21°C