Acting Premier James Merlino, Emergency Management Victoria commissioner Craig Lapsley and Ambulance Victoria commander Paul Holman provide an update on the heat and fire risk Credit:Paul Jeffers Victoria Police earlier warned motorists to expect delays on the right-hand lane heading towards the city near Broadford. VicRoads confirmed contractors were undertaking repairs to reopen both lanes to clear the traffic backlog, however, one lane southbound will remain closed overnight. Contractors are also expected to return on Saturday, with motorists advised to take alternative routes if possible. "Hot weather can result in bleeding of the road surface, which occurs when the bitumen becomes reactivated by warm temperatures and becomes soft and sticky," a VicRoads spokeswoman said.



"This, combined with higher than usual traffic volumes, has affected the pavement on the southbound carriageway of the Hume Freeway between Tallarook and Broadford".

Saturday's weather will lead to an extreme fire risk. Credit:Dean Sewell The Country Fire Authority has warned that any fire that starts in the hot, windy conditions would be very difficult to suppress. Ambulance Victoria state health commander Paul Holman said the weather on Saturday would be like a "blast furnace" and urged people to "respect the heat". Temperatures in the 40s are tipped across Victoria on Saturday. Credit:a "Put off the sporting events, put off the outside events," he said.

Saturday is a day of total fire ban across Victoria. A cool change later in the day is expected to bring squally south-westerly winds that could also pose a risk. "This wind change presents its own danger should there be fire as winds will come through and fan [it] in an unpredictable way," A CFA spokesman said. The Bureau of Meteorology forecasts Geelong, Bendigo and Shepparton will hit 42 degrees, Ouyen and Swan Hill 43 degrees, and Mildura a statewide high of 44 degrees. It is also tipping strong northerly winds across the state, and has issued wind warnings for Port Phillip, the West Coast, Central Coast and East Gippsland Coast.

Winds speeds of around 35km/h are predicted to reach Melbourne on Saturday morning. The cool change later in the day could see temperatures drop by as much as 20 degrees in Melbourne within two hours, Bureau of Meteorology national operations centre manager Michael Logan said. "It's just one of those days that is going to get hotter and hotter until the change comes through," he said. The CFA has warned of "extreme" fire risks to the north-west of the state, including the Wimmera and Mallee regions, and severe risks in areas between Melbourne and Echuca. It has 49 aircraft on standby and has increased the number of fire trucks available for deployment over the current fire season.

"The coming hot and windy conditions will make it difficult for firefighters to suppress a fire should one start," a CFA spokesman said. Despite the forecast, Acting Premier James Merlino said the Australian Energy Market Operator had advised that were was sufficient power capacity for Saturday. Victoria's emergency services commissioner Craig Lapsley said grasslands in western and central Victoria were also at risk of fire. There was increased fuel load in those regions following recent rain, with grasslands that would "burn off very quickly" in the high temperatures, Mr Lapsley said. Crime Stoppers has warned of potentially "disastrous consequences" of any "reckless behaviour" that could spark a fire.

Crime Stoppers Victoria general manager Cathy Rhodes has urged people to report anyone who disobeys the ban. "A fire lit during a Total Fire Ban has potentially disastrous consequences, threatening homes, pets, stock, families, and loved ones," she said. Penalties for causing a bushfire include up to 15 years' imprisonment or fines of over $36,000. The maximum penalty for arson resulting in death is 25 years' jail. A health warning has been issued by Victoria's chief medical officer ahead of the heat spike. And the rescheduled Mornington race meeting has now been abandoned because of the forecast for extreme heat.

This means there will be no races in the state on Saturday. Earlier this week, racing officials moved the Caulfield metropolitan meeting from Saturday to Sunday, swapping it with Mornington where temperatures were expected to be slightly cooler with a sea breeze. Loading After a revised forecast on Friday, Racing Victoria decided to abandon the Mornington meeting. with AAP