UPDATE Tuesday 3.30pm: Hot temperatures and windy weather are still expected to increase the fire danger this week.
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Daytime temperatures on Wednesday across central Victoria will reach the mid to high-30s, with Bendigo heading for a top of 37.
On Wednesday the Mallee will face a total fire ban, with a severe fire danger rating.
The night will bring little relief.
"It will be an oppressive night. The northerly winds will strengthen right across the state early Thursday morning, that'll keep the temperature falling too quickly," Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Richard Carlyon said.
The hot temperatures will continue into Thursday, with tops of 35 degrees forecast in Bendigo, 38 in Echuca, 32 in Castlemaine and Maryborough, and 31 in Kyneton.
It is also expected to be windy.
These conditions will see the severe fire danger rating extend to the Northern Country forecast district, while the Central and North Central districts will be subject to very high fire danger.
A cool change is forecast to hit later on Thursday, bringing maximum temperatures across central Victoria down to the mid to high-20s on Friday.
MONDAY: Part of the region is forecast to experience severe fire danger later this week, as temperatures climb into the mid to high-30s.
Bureau of Meteorology senior meteorologist Richard Carlyon said the heat would extend across the state on Wednesday, with the north-west seeing temperatures into the 40s, followed by a gusty change on Thursday.
Bendigo is heading for a top of 29 degrees on Tuesday, before a forecast high of 36 on Wednesday and 35 on Thursday.
Echuca is expected to hit 37 degrees on Wednesday and 38 on Thursday, while Castlemaine's expected maximums are 33 degrees and 31 degrees respectively.
Meanwhile, Wednesday is forecast to bring daytime temperatures reaching 35 degrees in Maryborough and 31 in Kyneton.
Maryborough's top temperature will drop to 32 on Thursday, while Kyneton's is forecast to remain steady at 31 degrees.
Wednesday night is not expected to bring much relief, with minimum temperatures on Thursday morning forecast to sit in the high teens to low 20s.
The heightened temperatures and winds will also bring an increased fire danger rating.
"On Wednesday, the northerly wind will start to freshen later in the day, and we're likely to have severe fire danger in the north-west on Wednesday," Mr Carlyon said.
"That severe fire danger should extend to the Northern Country and possibly the North East during Thursday ahead of that change."
Mr Carlyon said there had also been very little rainfall across the state in the past six weeks.
The CFA has issued a low-moderate fire danger forecast across central Victoria for Tuesday, but on Wednesday, that will increase to high.
On Thursday, there is a severe fire danger forecast for the Northern Country, very high in the North Central district, and high in the Central district.
The fire danger period is now in force across most of the region and there are restrictions on lighting open air fires.
Mr Carlyon said there could also be a severe weather warning issued for Wednesday, with winds particularly strong over the central and eastern ranges.
The weather is expected to become more mild by the end of the week.
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