Update

A TOTAL fire ban issued for the northern country and five other Victorian districts has been revoked by the Country Fire Authority.

CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson said it would effective from 6pm.

"Temperatures have fallen dramatically following the wind change and relative humidity has increased," he said.

"A number of areas have also received light rain.

"By 6pm the wind change should have cleared the six districts affected by total fire bans.

"Advice from the Bureau of Meteorology is that no part of the state will be in severe fire danger after 6pm."

A severe weather warning for damaging winds is still in place for the northern country, north central, central, west and south Gippsland and north east.

Update

WEATHER conditions in central Victoria are expected to get wild and windy today with gusts of up to 60km/h predicted and the Country Fire Authority declaring a day of total fire ban.

Severe fire danger has been forecast for the Northern Country, Mallee and Wimmera districts today with temperatures of 33 degrees expected and relative humidity down to 25 per cent.

No fires can be lit or be allowed to remain alight in the open air until midnight tonight.

"Conditions will intensify with a dangerous combination of high winds and very dry fuel loads," said CFA Chief Officer Euan Ferguson.

"Fuel loads in many grassland areas and on road sides are heavy because of the strong growth over the past year. Forest areas in the West, Central and North of the state are also very dry.

“The vigorous winds will be fresh to strong from the north, north-west ahead of a wind change from the west that will progress across the state during the day. Isolated thunderstorms are also expected which could bring lightning.

“People need to monitor the local conditions and stay informed about any fire activity. With such a high risk of fast-moving grassfires, people need to be especially careful on the roads."

Meanwhile, the Bureau of Meteorology has this morning issued a warning for damaging winds in the north central, central and south west areas of Victoria.

Average winds of up to 60 km/h with peak gusts around 90 km/h are predicted.