High fire danger for northern Victoria

Victorians are facing their highest fire danger day for this season.

People in the state's north are being warned they should leave if they are not confident they can defend their homes from fire, with high temperatures and strong winds forecast on Tuesday.

A total fire ban has been declared in the Mallee, Wimmera, Northern Country, North East and North Central districts.

"In total fire ban areas the message is to leave and live," CFA state duty officer Peter Baker said.

"If people are going to leave it till there's a fire, then sit it out and think `it will be right,' it's too late."

The CFA has issued an extreme fire rating for the Mallee and Northern Country districts.