Country Fire Authority crews from Noorat, Terang, Boorcan and Dixie were called to the blaze that was well alight when they arrived but they were able to extinguish it within 10 to 15 minutes.

Noorat CFA Lieutenant Darren Williams said fire crews were called about 1.45pm and arrived to find flames leaping a metre or two into the air, but luckily the wind was in their favour.

He said the farmer also had irrigation on his property and the area around the rubbish pile – which consisted of old hay, silage wraps and posts – was green grass.

Mr Williams said the farmer had used the irrigated water to fight the flames with a sprinkler until the fire crews arrived.

The fire was just 15 to 20 metres from a hay shed on one side and rolls of hay on the other.

Mr Williams said that if no one had been home at the time, the blaze could have spread and potentially destroy up to 100 bales of hay.

He said it was believed a bit of moisture, along with Sunday’s warm weather, had combined to create perfect conditions for spontaneous combustion.

“It’s a timely warning to keep an eye on haystacks and rubbish piles,” he said.