UPDATE, 2.30PM: A grassfire that was burning out of control for more than an hour has been controlled by the CFA.
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The blaze was officially declared under control at 2.30pm.
At least six fire units were called in to fight the fire.
Traffic delays in the Ballarat-bound lanes are expected to remain in place for some time.
EARLIER, 2PM: Firefighters are tackling an out-of-control blaze just off the Western Freeway near Myrniong.
It is believed the fire is about 200 metres in length, next to the Ballarat-bound lanes.
Crews were first called in about 1.10pm and the blaze was still burning as of 2pm.
It is not believed there are any structures under threat.
Smoke is visible in the area and the Ballarat-bound lanes have been blocked to traffic.
It is not yet known how the fire started.
VicRoads has issued a traffic alert urging drivers to take caution on the westbound lanes of the western Freeway and keep the road clear for emergency vehicles.
The temperature was at 27 degrees at the nearest official weather station in Melton at 2pm, with winds hovering around 20-25km/h from the north.