A total fire ban has been declared for all of Victoria tomorrow.
Geelong is forecast to reach 40 degrees on Friday, with a possible storm.
CFA crews will be high alert, bracing for any fires that may break out in the Extreme Fire Danger rating conditions in the central area, which takes in Geelong and the Surf Coast.
The southwest district, which takes in Colac to the border, will be under a catastrophic fire danger rating, along with Wimmera, Northern Country and North Central.
They are already battling several out-of-control fires in other areas of the state, with an emergency warning for a blaze at Longwood, near Seymour.
Emergency Management Commissioner Tim Wiebusch is urging everyone to stay updated on warning information.
“Friday is one of those days we’ve not seen for some time,” he said.
“We will have the whole state at a very high risk of extreme fire danger.”
A total fire ban means no fires can be lit in the open air between 12.01am and 11.59pm.
The CFA warns the extended heat, dry landscapes and wind will make conditions very challenging if a fire were to break out.
Public land in areas under a Catastrophic Fire danger warning will be closed on Friday.
Chris Hardman from Forest Fire Management Victoria said it would not be safe in any bushfire area.
“We’re going to have lightning across much of Victoria today (Thursday), and right across the state tomorrow,” he said.
“That means fires will be ignited.
“The forests and grasslands are already dry – those lightning bands will hit the ground and fires will quick off very quickly.”
