Vic braces for New Year's Eve scorcher
Vic braces for New Year's Eve scorcher December 30, 2010 - 5:34PM AAP Victoria's fire season this year has so far encountered more floods than flames but the state will be hit by a dose of scorching reality on New Year's Eve. Temperatures above 40 degrees and strong 45km/h winds are predicted all over the state on Friday, with the Mallee and Wimmera regions in the west given extreme fire ratings. Total fire bans have been declared in six of the state's nine regions, while the city of Horsham has the highest fire danger forecast. Advertisement: Story continues below Fire Services Commissioner Craig Lapsley said the heat would continue into Friday evening, although a cooler change would arrive in the state's southwest late in the afternoon and won't move into central Victoria and Melbourne until late in the evening. It will also be windy, with speeds that "can push fires along". "The bureau has indicated that the atmosphere itself will be un...