A haystack fire at Murgheboluc has destroyed 500 hay bales and a ute.
Crews from 12 brigades responded to the fire which started just before 10am on 17 January at a property on the intersection of Hamilton Highway and Windermere Road in Murgheboluc, west of Geelong.
The first of 18 trucks arrived on scene to find the bales and ute well alight, and more tankers were called in to help supply water to the scene.
Crews built a mineral earth break around the bales and car to stop the fire spreading and to allow the bales to burn out.
Community advice was issued for large amounts of smoke in the area.
The fire was deemed under control by 3.12pm with firefighters remaining on the scene overnight to monitor the fire.
A great job by members of Bannockburn, Barrabool, Geelong, Geelong City, Gnarwarre, Inverleigh, Winchelsea, Modewarre, Shelford, Stonehaven, Teesdale and Whittlesea brigades.
CFA is reminding all Victorians to remain vigilant and inspect their hay bales to prevent spontaneous combustion causing haystack fires, which have been occurring across Victoria.
For information about hay and fire safety please visit: http://www.cfa.vic.gov.au/plan-prepare/hay-and-fire-safety/
Photos courtesy Inverleigh, Shelford and Winchelsea CFA
Author: Shaunnagh O'Loughlin