Fire preparation

Fire authorities in Victoria are preparing for the state's first sustained heatwave of the summer.The Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) and the Country Fire Authority (CFA) said on Monday Victoria was very dry and there was a higher risk of lightning-caused fires later in the week.DSE and CFA say they are ready for this week's heat wave - the first sustained conditions of this type for the season - but those living in bushfire regions should finalise preparations."Most importantly, people need to decide if they are going to stay and defend or leave, if they have not already done so," CFA operation manager Tony Bearzatto said.The Bureau of Meteorology has forecast maximum temperatures of between 29 and 36 degrees celsius for Melbourne until Saturday before a cool change hits.Higher temperatures are expected in the north of the state