UPDATE 3pm
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Firefighting crews will remain at the scene of a large bushfire cleaning up and blacking out the area.
Ballarat incident controller Tony Morriss said weather conditions and light rains had helped more than 150 firefighters and a number of aircrews bring the large Lake Goldsmith fire under control.
Crews brought the fire under control at around 1.30pm much earlier than the 3pm target.
Mr Morris said “around half a dozen sheep” had been destroyed in the blaze along with fencing, but no property or human lives were threatened.
He said DELWP and CFA crews would construct a mineral earth line while other crews would remove hazardous trees. At this stage no roads are blocked.
The cause of the fire is still being investigated but it is believed to have been started by a weekend burn-off.
“The wind caused the embers to spread … in these conditions burn-offs are still a a factor (in bushfires),” Mr Morriss said.
He said the large number of resources deployed had significantly contributed to the quick control of the fire.
UPDATE 1.30pm
A massive effort from the CFA has brought the fire under control.
Three fixed wing planes, four helicopters and more than 50 fire trucks helped fight the fire.
Light rain in the area has also helped firefighters bring it under control.
UPDATE 1pm
An out-of-control Lake Goldsmith fire has burnt nearly 100 hectares of land and is being fought by air and ground firefighting crews.
Incident controller Tony Morriss said around 150 CFA and DELWP crews remain at the scene of the fire which is believed to have started at the intersection of Cheesemans and Cross roads.
Mr Morriss said wind gusts of up to 70 km/h were creating difficult conditions for firefighters who hoped to contain the blaze by 3pm this afternoon.
“The fire is between Mena Park and east of Lake Goldsmith,” Mr Morriss said.
“We have six aircraft including helitacs from Balalrat, Stawell and Colac.
“The conditions are pretty difficult for crews with winds up to 70 km/h.”
The fire was initially driven from the north but a late wind change caused the drive to come from the west.
Mr Morris said crews would focus on knocking the head of the fire and once it was under control would “mop up” for some time.
No property is under threat.
UPDATE
Dozens of fire trucks are at the scene of a grass and scrub fire that is continuing to burn out of control near Lake Goldsmith.
The fire, estimated to be more than 50 acres, appears to be spreading toward the Lake Goldsmith Steam and Vintage Rally club.
Residents should monitor weather conditions and warnings as grassfires can spread rapidly.
EARLIER
Firefighting aircraft has been dispatched to a 50 acre grass and scrub fire burning out of control on the western side of Lake Goldsmith.
The CFA has issued an advice message to residents in the area warning them there is no threat to the communities but that they should stay aware and informed.
A state control centre spokeswoman said two air craft were en route to the fire, two trucks were on site and a further 13 trucks had been dispatched.
This scrubfire, located at the intersection of Cheesemans and Cross roads, is travelling in towards Mena Park.
Residents should monitor weather conditions and warnings as grassfires can spread rapidly.