The Wangaratta community has been urged to remain vigilant on Friday amidst back-to-back high fire danger rating days for the region.

According to the Bureau of Meteorology forecast, Wangaratta was expected to hit a high of 37 degrees on Friday with winds up to 30km/h during the day.

District 23 acting commander Jon Henry said increased temperatures and wind gusts throughout the region made for an increased risk for spot fires and urged the community to be vigilant.

“It is dry out there, up in the hills it’s green but on the flat country and with harvesting continuing it’s definitely dry and at an increased fire risk,” he said.

Mr Henry said a lower fire risk was expected to return for the weekend, with a maximum of 29 degrees expected on Saturday and 24 degrees on Sunday.

A Total Fire Ban (TFB) was declared for the Wimmera, Mallee and Northern Country on Thursday, which remained active in the Mallee on Friday.

Conditions in the western and central parts of Victoria were expected to be dry and windy with north westerly gusts of up to 90km/h during the late morning and afternoon.

CFA chief officer Jason Heffernan said conditions on days like Thursday and Friday this week will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start, and those engaging in harvesting activities need to be particularly careful.

“While we understand and acknowledge the challenges our farmers continue to endure throughout prolonged drought conditions, to safeguard your operations and your crops, we do urge you to postpone paddock work during high fire danger days,” he said.

“We have already seen several large agricultural fires involving crops and hay over recent weeks in the northwest and with strong gusty winds anticipated, ignition is a real possibility.

“Conditions will remain dry, warm and windy into Friday, so ensure your fire plan covers all possible contingencies and stay informed through more than one source of information.”

Victorians can find out if it is a Total Fire Ban on the CFA website www.cfa.vic.gov.au, where it is usually published by 5pm the day before a Total Fire Ban.

For more information on what you can and can't do visit the Can I or Can't I page on the CFA website.