RESIDENTS of Metcalfe, near Taradale, were on high alert last night as a fire ripped through Keaths Lane.
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The blaze, which was sighted from the fire tower shortly after 6pm, destroyed around 80 hectares.
One hundred and seventy properties were issued with an emergency alert text message, warning that their bushfire survival plan may need to be activated.
Twenty trucks and three aircraft battled the blaze for a couple of hours. The fire is now classed as contained with six tankers remaining on scene to black out today.
A CFA spokesperson said they were unsure how the fire started but that police were following up on the possibility that a camp fire was to blame.
Meanwhile, an angle grinder on a private property started a fire at Wedderburn last night.
Fifteen trucks from surrounding districts including Wedderburn, Boort, Charlton, Inglewood and Korong Vale, plus two aircraft were called in to control the fire which burnt through around 35 hectares.
A CFA spokesperson said farmers should remain vigilant when working on their properties and urged everyone to be aware of the weather with the mercury set to rise during the week.
"There is potential for a total fire ban on Friday," the spokesperson said.
"Holiday-makers, campers especially, should also be aware of the fire danger rating and what is going on in the area they're travelling to."
The fire danger rating for the Bendigo region today is at high. To find out what the fire danger rating is in your area visit the CFA website.