Victoria turns up the heat on firebugs as warmer weather approaches

Victorians are being urged to look out for suspicious activity around high-risk fire areas as hot conditions return this weekend.

State Emergency Services Minister Jane Garrett says the Country Fire Authority has already responded to more than 170 suspicious fires across the state since December.

"Each summer, fire authorities respond to an average of 54,000 bushfires across the country, up to half of which are deliberately lit or start in suspicious circumstances," Ms Garrett told reporters at Warrandyte today.

Victoria has some of Australia's toughest penalties for bushfire-related offences, including up to 25 years jail when a fire leads to death.