THE Wimmera faces extreme fire danger today, with temperatures tipped to hit 43 degrees.
Country Fire Authority District 17 operations manager Dale Russell said wind speeds of up to 30 kilometres an hour and gusts of up to 45 kilometres an hour would also affect the region.
It is a total fire ban day.
Mr Russell said people must be aware of their actions today.
"Should a fire occur, irrespective of the cause, it could be very dangerous,'' he said.
"My advice to everybody is to be very, very careful with whatever they're doing.''
Mr Russell said a fire in today's conditions could become widespread quite quickly.
He said the Department of Sustainability and Environment, Parks Victoria and CFA would work together, with a base at Grains Innovation Park in Horsham.
He said fire-fighters would also receive weather updates.
"We've got aircraft available to us,'' he said. "There are a few days we're doing this for.''
Mr Russell said it was tipped to be a hotter day than experienced last summer.
"We had a number of warm, windy days last summer but not the 43 degrees predicted,'' he said.
"But those days had stronger winds than this.
"This is one of those days we get in the Wimmera two to three times a year.''
Mr Russell encouraged people not to work outside if they did not have to.
He said the total fire ban day brought with it several restrictions.
Mr Russell said people could visit www.cfa.vic.gov.au or call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 for updates on any fires today.
Bureau of Meteorology media and community relations officer David Morrison said the Wimmera could expect high temperatures into next week.
"In a nutshell, it's going to be hot,'' he said. "Each day is going to be sunny with clear skies."
Mr Morrison said tomorrow and Sunday would be 36 degrees, while Monday would hit 42 degrees.
He said the temperature would then start to cool, with a top of 32 degrees expected on Wednesday.
The Department of Health warned people the heat could cause cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke.
A spokesman encouraged people to keep cool, drink plenty of water, stay out of the sun and keep an eye on others, especially the elderly, babies and young children.
The Wimmera's fire danger rating will drop to very high tomorrow and remain that way until Monday, when it becomes high.