The council's chief executive officer Anthony Schinck said the Municipal Emergency Management Plan - set up after last month's fire on the dry lake bed - had worked very effectively.

"I was really proud of both our guys and the CFA," Mr Schinck said.

"They worked really well together and the work we'd done to clarify roles and responsibilities was really evident."

He said unfortunately the council was never going to remove the risk of fires being deliberately lit.

"But there's a lot of residents around the lake and we don't want to put them at risk so we have to make sure we have the right plan in place."

Mr Schinck said the council's ongoing fire reduction works on the lake included regular mowing and slashing, and fairy grass management.

"The fire in late December highlighted that the lake is a unique site and it creates a range of quite specific issues."

Mr Schinck said the council had been working with the CFA to set up the management plan.

He said there was no evidence to suggest yesterday's blaze and a fire in late December were linked.