The Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning is investigating the fire that started at New Street, California Gully, at 9pm on Thursday night.

DELWP Murray Goldfields district manager Paul Bates said crews were continuing to monitor the area while investigators looked for a cause.

“We urge anyone with any information about this fire or any other suspicious behaviour to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. All information will be treated confidentially,” he said.

Fire crews brought the fire under control by 10pm, after it burnt through one hectare of grass and scrub.

The maximum penalty for deliberately lighting a bushfire, or placing a flammable material in a position where a bushfire is likely to be caused, is 10 years prison.

EARLIER: THICK smoke blanketed parts of California Gully last night after a grass fire burned briefly out of control in New Street.

Six CFA crews were called to the scene about 9pm and worked quickly to bring the blaze under control by 10pm.

Crews from the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning also attended the fire.

A CFA spokeswoman said the fire burnt out about one hectare of grass and produced a “large amount of smoke”.

There was no threat to communities.