Ballarat will experience its hottest day of the summer so far today if weather forecasts are accurate.
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A top of 40 degrees is forecast for the city, as the city prepares to swelter.
A total fire ban has been declared for much of the state, before a cool change hits later today.
To put it in context, there was only one day last summer when the mercury hit 40 degrees in Ballarat – when it reached 40.1 on February 9.
On Thursday, the searing heat saw Australian Open tennis players struggle to play in temperatures of up to 69 degrees on centre court in Melbourne.
Ballarat reached a top of 37.9 degrees at 4.56pm on Thursday.
By 8am on Friday, it was already 27 degrees.
Health alerts
The Department of Health and Human Services issued public health alerts for Thursday and Friday.
The department said older people, young children and people with medical conditions were most at risk, but the extreme heat could affect anybody.
People are being encouraged to drink water, be aware of local conditions and look after themselves and others.
Regional heat
The bureau predicts temperatures in regional inland Victoria will be even hotter, with Mildura set to hit 44 degrees on Friday.
Swan Hill and Horsham are also predicted to reach 44 degrees on Friday and temperatures throughout the region will hover in the low 40s over the weekend.
The Country Fire Authority has issued total fire bans for the Mallee, Wimmera and South West regions and fire danger is rated very high in North Central, Central and North East districts.
Residents have been advised to activate their bushfire plans on Friday.
Parks Victoria also issued a warning about lighting campfires or barbecues in fire ban areas.
