Fire bans are in place for central Victoria today, with authorities warning of "tinderbox" ground conditions.

Extreme fire danger ratings and Total Fire Bans are in place across much of Victoria ahead of hot, dry, windy conditions tomorrow.

Extreme fire danger ratings and Total Fire Bans are in place across much of Victoria ahead of hot, dry, windy conditions tomorrow.

Extreme fire danger ratings and Total Fire Bans are in place across much of Victoria ahead of hot, dry, windy conditions tomorrow.

The dangerous weather predicted follows a January during which fires burned more than 350,000 hectares of Victoria.

The dangerous weather predicted follows a January during which fires burned more than 350,000 hectares of Victoria.

Temperatures reaching 40C on Wednesday have sparked blanket total fire bans in southeast Australia.

Dry heat, storms and gusty winds are ramping up the fire danger across large swathes of the country as authorities warn there is plenty of fuel left...

Dry heat, storms and gusty winds are ramping up the fire danger across large swathes of the country as authorities warn there is plenty of fuel left...

Separately, counties Wexford, Wicklow, Dublin, Meath and Louth have been placed under a Status Yellow wind warning.