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KEEP cool and be prepared — that’s the message from public health and fire services across the Border and North East as it gets hotter and hotter this week.

After yesterday afternoon’s top of 39 degrees in Albury-Wodonga, it is forecast to hit 41 degrees today, 42 tomorrow and 43 on Thursday and Friday.

Wangaratta and Benalla are tipped to reach 42 degrees today and at Yarrawonga it should reach 43.

The Country Fire Authority and NSW Rural Fire Service will be on high alert for what they say will be a hot, dry week.

Frail and elderly people are at particular risk and should be checked.

Today will be hotter than December 21, when the mercury hit 40.7 in Albury-Wodonga.

The region’s last heatwave was in early January last year, when residents were hit with temperatures above 40 for four consecutive days.

EDITORIAL: Easy does it in the heat

In Victoria, Department of Human Services Ovens Murray area director Paul Knowles said the department had issued a heat health alert, informing councils to enact their plans.

“The key message is if you know somebody frail or elderly check on them,” he said.

“If you have a neighbour or a friend who might need some help, please see how they’re going.”

Mr Knowles said officers would be checking on department-run housing that provided support to people with disabilities or children in out-of-home-care.

People in public housing could also ask to be put on a register if they need someone to check on them, he said.

“Generally there is more concern about people in the general community,” he said.

“That’s where councils come in — it’s more likely to be the 80-year-old lady living on her own who needs help.”

Wodonga Council was prepared from Saturday to enact its heatwave plan, while Benalla and Moira councils yesterday announced theirs would be put into action.

In NSW, Murrumbidgee Local Health District is reminding residents to take care and stay hydrated in the heat.

For the region’s firefighters such as CFA Region 24 operation manager Mark Owens, their concern was also centred on public health.

“It’s worrying from a heatwave perspective — we’ve lost a lot more people in that way than in fires,” Mr Owen said.

“The main emphasis is looking after everyone and not leaving kids or animals in cars.”

Mr Owens said the CFA would monitor conditions closely, with “increased readiness” for tomorrow and Thursday.

While no total fire bans were anticipated, he said this week’s conditions would affect fire conditions for the rest of the season.

“It’s very dry and very hot — if we get any windy days form now on, we’re going to see more increased fire danger ratings,” he said.

“The weather we’ve got now is what we’re stuck with until the season breaks.”

V/Line has also enacted its heat timetable across all lines.

Journey times will be extended to allow trains to travel at speeds no higher than 90 km/h, as a safety precaution in case of tracks expanding or buckling.

Passengers are advised to check timetables before they travel, by logging onto vline.com.au or calling 1800 800 007.