Ten fire trucks were called to the Rhooks Road grassfire, 11 kilometres east of Hamilton, at 5pm on Monday, which spread over four hectares before being controlled about 5.30pm yesterday.

The blaze also burnt about 60 round hay bales and four cypress trees which had to be completely extinguished and monitored for the next 20 hours, Region Five operations officer Richard Bourke said. 

“We needed all the fuel burnt out before the hot day tomorrow,” he said.

“Crews worked overnight and all day to control it and now it’s out. The hay bales had to be burnt out and spread out. 

“We brought in a thermal imaging camera from Mortlake to identify hot spots and had an excavator knock over the cypress trees that were burnt also. The crews did an excellent job.”

No livestock were injured.

Mr Bourke said the fire was unrelated to a CFA burn-off at Warrayure on Saturday and was suspected to have started after a truck entering the paddock hit an electric fence.

Meanwhile, firefighters across the region are bracing for the traditional peak danger season this month. 

Barwon South West Regional Controller Andrew Morrow warned against residents becoming complacent. 

“Our grasslands and forests are already extremely dry with abundant fuels,” Mr Morrow said. 

“Even in cooler temperatures, grassfires will run hard and fast with a bit of wind. We all need to be prepared and ready for fires which can occur at any time.”

j.pech@fairfaxmedia.com.au