The CFA issued an emergency warning for Malmsbury as the grass fire headed towards the town in a westerly direction from Kyneton-Metcalfe Road.

But the fire was brought under control.

Bendigo operations officer Craig Houlahan said numerous houses were saved.

“We lost a hayshed but numerous houses were saved by the actions of the firefighters on the ground," he said.

“CFA did have to get in DEPI to euthanize some stock that was burnt.

"They were alpacas.

“In total 65 CFA appliances, 280 personnel and four aircraft were involved in the fire fight.

“Investigators believe the fire was started by people on motorbikes riding through the long grass.

“Crews will be working all night and most of tomorrow on the area but the fire is controlled.

CFA also attended several other fires over the weekend.

Around 100 hectares were burnt in a fire in Serpentine on Friday night.

Two CFA firefighters and two civilians were treated for smoke inhalation on Saturday at a fire in Kyneton, on Trentham Road.

A truck carrying hay caught fire and sparked a grass fire which burnt 10 hectares.

Firefighters were also called to a fire at Eaglehawk tip on Upper California Gully Road on Saturday. 

There was a small fire in Lockwood South on Sunday afternoon and a small fire at the showground in Bendigo.

Officer Houlahan urged the public to be vigilant as more hot weather is predicted.

“We have been busy since Boxing Day and the weather conditions for the next 10 days mean some very high to severe fire days are expected," he said.

“We need the public to work with us so that no fires get started, if you do see something report it.

“Where you see flames call triple-0 as we need to get on it quickly.

“The only reason we haven’t had a large fire here is thanks to the public and because the fire service have been giving it all we’ve got.”