The fire began in scrub near Tinworth Ave about 4.45pm on New Year's Eve.

Ballarat Criminal Investigation Unit Detective Senior Constable Tony Euvrard said the boy was charged with one count each of arson and causing a bushfire.

The boy, who was interviewed by police for two hours yesterday, has been bailed to appear at a Children's Court on February 15.

The charge of causing a bushfire was introduced last year after the Black Saturday bushfires.

An 11-year-old boy was also questioned in relation to the Mt Clear fire and is expected to be charged at a later date, Sen Const Euvrard said.

Meanwhile, about 30 Country Fire Authority personnel worked with firefighters from the Department of Sustainability and Environment and Hancock Victorian Plantations to put out the smouldering bush and any flare-ups.

Operations officer Archie Conroy said six houses had been under direct threat, with only one shed and a caravan burned.

"This rain is really good, dampening everything down but there are logs still burning," Mr Conroy said.

With at least six fire appliances on the scene within 15 minutes, he was satisfied with the CFA's response.

"We got plenty of trucks on the road, if it wasn't for (the volunteers) ..." he said.

"They'd been on standby all day ... they had commitments themselves and they still responded which is good.

"And they've given up their day again today."

He said the CFA website would be continuously updated with the fire's status.

"If anything is going to drastically happen we will put out a radio message to the community," Mr Conroy said.

Broadcasts would be made on 3BA, Power FM and ABC local radio, and further information was available at www.cfa.vic.gov.au or by calling the bushfire information line on 1800 240 667.

Mr Conroy said the bushfire served as a warning to the rest of the region.

"It's never too late to clean up," he said.

"It's only the start of the fire season and we've already got a fire in the middle of Ballarat."

Whitehorse Rd was closed again yesterday.