A total fire ban has been cut short in Victoria's west, with hot, dry and windy conditions milder than forecast.
The Country Fire Authority withdrew the ban for the Mallee and Wimmera at 3pm on Tuesday, indicating the predicted "severe" fire danger would not be reached due to milder than predicted conditions.
"After discussions with the Bureau of Meteorology and surveying moisture content on the ground, there is no longer a need for a TFB today," CFA deputy chief officer Alen Slijepcevic said in a statement.
"We know that farmers are keen to continue their harvest this time of year, and have taken this action to remove the restrictions that a TFB brings."
The bureau had tipped the mercury to soar into the mid 30s for much of the state's northwest on Tuesday, but the major centres of Mildura (28C), Swan Hill (29.3C) and Horsham (23.5C) fell well short of the mark.
A severe weather warning for damaging winds remains in place for parts of Victoria, however, as a cold front crosses the state.
Northerly winds are forecast to usher in peak wind gusts up to 110km/h in eastern ranges on Tuesday afternoon, while a westerly may blow gusts of 90 to 100km/h in western Victoria and along the coastal fringe.
Horsham, Hamilton, Warrnambool, Portland, Wonthaggi and Falls Creek could be hit by the wild winds, the bureau said.
So far, Tuesday's strongest gusts have been recorded at Mount Buller (120km/h), Eildon Fire Tower (100km/h) and Mount Moornapa (85km/h).
