A grassfire that tore through farmland in Smeaton, north of Ballarat, is now under control, authorities have confirmed.
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Thick layers of smoke were drifting north towards Campelltown on Saturday and CFA crews were expected to remain on scene late into the evening.
The fire took about three hours to contain and burnt through more than 250 hectares after crews were first out called out to the scene about 3pm.
Residents in towns north of Ballarat had been warned to shelter indoors immediately as fire crews battle an out-of-control blaze.
"You are in danger, act now to protect yourself. It is too late to leave. The safest option is to take shelter indoors immediately," authorities warned on Saturday afternoon.
The emergency warning was issued for Campbelltown, Cotswold, Glengower, Moolort, Smeaton, Strathlea, Ullina.
CFA firefighters were called out to the scene following reports of the blaze along Creswick-Newstead Road about 3pm.
Police were blocking off the area to traffic as more than 10 CFA trucks and more than five aircraft tackle the fire.
State Control Centre spokesperson Lachlan Quick confirmed the fire was now under control.
