Bendigo, Mandurang, Inglewood, Maryborough, Heathcote, Costerfield, Moliagul, Kimbolton and Tooborac residents are warned smoke may be visible in the area. 

DEPI Murray Goldfields district manager Steve Nicholson said the aim of the burns was to decrease the fire risk to people, property and other assets. 

"The aim of these burns close to towns is to interrupt the continuous corridor of fire fuel that small bush blocks within residential areas provide," he said.

"We understand it is concerning for people to see smoke however the weather is always changing and we need to take the opportunity to reduce fuel loads whenever the conditions make it safe to do so.

"DEPI and Parks Victoria work closely with the Bureau of Meteorology and we will only start a burn when we assess the fuel moisture and weather conditions, such as humidity, temperature and wind speed, as suitable."

Visit www.depi.vic.gov.au/burnsmap for more information.