BAKING summer temperatures are set to continue in Gannawarra shire today with the mercury set to rise to record levels for December.
Kerang and Cohuna’s forecast 46 degrees today would beat the towns’ previous December high of 45 degrees, which was recorded on December 31, 2005.
A total fire ban has been imposed across Victoria today.
Ambulance Victoria urges people to ensure children and pets are not left in cars, with the service having received eight reports of children locked in vehicles, across the state on Wednesday alone.
People need to be mindful of today’s expected extreme conditions, ensuring they remain well hydrated and limit their exposure to the sun, and if they have to go outside, they wear a hat and protective, comfortable clothing made of natural fibres.
Agriculture Victoria warns people to be aware of the dangers heat poses to livestock.
“As we head into the height of summer, heat stress in livestock can become a major issue both for production levels and animal welfare,” district veterinary officer for Agriculture Victoria, Jeff Cave said.
“By making some minor management changes and taking a little extra care of your livestock in extreme hot weather, the effects of heat stress can be substantially reduced.
“On hot days, livestock should be given access to shade and good quality, cool drinking water,” he said.
Agriculture Victoria also warns farmers to check farm water supplies daily for blue green algae to prevent stock deaths from poisoning.
Meanwhile, Gannawarra Shire Council’s free Christmas pool party in Kerang this evening couldn’t be better timed.
Wednesday’s maximum temperature in Kerang was 41.9 degrees, with all days since Sunday, December 15 exceeding 30 degrees.
A mild start to the month seems a distant memory, with no rain recorded since December 2.
