However, fire chiefs say work will go on for the rest of the week to black out the fire ground.

In Lexton, the fire began near the Ben Major State Forest, accelerating uphill and heading south, before a wind change late on Friday pushed it towards the township.

AS IT HAPPENED:

Firefighters were able to prevent the spread during a lull in the wind, saving the town.

South of Ballarat, a second large fire, which started near Mount Mercer on Friday, was also contained by Sunday evening after burning more than 630 hectares along the Leigh River - this provided challenging conditions for firefighters.

Hundreds of staff, including volunteers and air crews, fought the blazes in "horrible" conditions, including 40 degree heat and strong winds.

No houses have been lost, and no civilians have been injured, though some firefighters were treated on Friday for minor heat-related injuries.

As of Sunday evening, Advice messages for the Lexton fire and the Mount Mercer fire are still active.

Lexton incident controller, FFMV deputy chief fire officer Jon Rofe, said the milder weather would help firefighters in the week to come.

"There's still concern around weather warming up later in the week, with warmer temperatures and increased winds," he said.

"Damage assessments are continuing today, and also Agriculture Victoria staff are assisting landholders in assessing injured stock."

The Ararat-Lexton Road will remain closed until further notice between Sandlant Rd and the intersection of the Amphitheatre Rd and Lexton Ararat Road.

At Mount Mercer, incident controller CFA Commander Brendan Lawson said there had been "complexities" in getting the fire contained, and crews would continue operating in the area.

"That's the tricky bit, where the fire's intersected with the Leigh River, and that's why we're still on scene really strengthening that impact area of the fire to make sure there's no potential of outbreaks - we're fully confident there won't be," he said.

"There were amazing efforts from the firefighters on Friday in what would have been the most horrible conditions.

"There were more than 100 appliances and multiple aircraft - the air boys and girls, and boys and girls in trucks, did an absolutely amazing job to stop that fire, I was a bit in awe here, to be honest."

"Also we'd like to thank our on-ground firefighters, and everyone else who has supported the operation," Deputy chief fire officer Rofe said.

A number of landholders have been affected - one first responder at Lexton is believed to have lost thousands of head of stock as well as pasture and crops, while a farmer near Mount Mercer lost a shed full of valuable farming machinery.

It is understood the Rainbow Serpent Festival site was impacted by fire, however damage to "essential infrastructure" was minimal.

"Right now, we wish to focus on our neighbours and the local community, who have lost so much more than we. Homes, stock, livelihoods and local wildlife. Our hearts are breaking for them," organisers posted on Facebook.

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