UPDATE, 6.25pm: Investigators have determined a series of fires along the Calder Freeway at Kyneton were not suspicious.
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CFA District 2 regional duty officer Peter Lucas said fragments of shattered brake linings had been discovered in each of up to six fires along a 1.5 kilometre stretch of the road.
He said knowing the fires, which closed the highway, were not deliberately lit was a relief for authorities.
Mr Lucas also praised the fire investigators for their rapid and thorough work in determining the cause of the fires.
“We don’t muck about,” he said.
UPDATE, 6pm: The Calder Freeway is now open northbound from Bourke Street, Kyneton.
VicRoads has issued a statement thanking motorists caught up in the closure for their patience and understanding.
UPDATE, 4.51pm: VicRoads expects to re-open the northbound lanes of the Calder Freeway at Kyneton shortly.
Fire investigators are making their way to the area to investigate the cause of a number of fires along the median strip and the side of the road.
The CFA is treating the fires, all of which sparked simultaneously within 1.5 kilometres, as suspicious.
Emergency services are also responding to a fire at Elmore-Barnadown Road in Avonmore, which is now under control.
UPDATE, 4.34pm: Emergency services are treating a number of fires along the Calder Freeway at Kyneton as suspicious.
Fire investigators are making their way to the scene to determine the cause of the fires, which have closed the freeway.
CFA District 2 regional duty officer Peter Lucas said about four fires started simultaneously within 1.5 kilometres.
A couple of those fires were on the median strip. Several others were on the side of the Calder closest to the Kyneton township.
Twenty fire trucks and two helicopters responded to the blazes.
Mr Lucas said the appliances were now blacking out the area, with the aim to re-open the freeway within 30 minutes.
He said the fires at Kyneton should serve as a warning to the community about the upcoming fire conditions.
The region is set to scorch through more extreme heat, with a maximum temperature of 39 predicted for Friday in Bendigo, and both Saturday and Sunday forecast to reach 41 degrees.
It comes after a run of hot, dry weather.
“We’re in for a very, very dangerous three days,” Mr Lucas said.
UPDATE, 3.49pm: VicRoads has advised northbound motorists on the Calder Freeway to exit at Bourke Street due to a number of grass fires.
Motorists will need to travel through town and re-enter the Calder Freeway from Burton Avenue, as the northbound lane remains closed from Bourke Street.
“If you're travelling southbound please turn your headlights on and observe any instructions from emergency services on site,” VicRoads advised.
UPDATE, 3.27pm: The Watch and Act notice has been downgraded to an advice message, with the fire now under control.
The Country Fire Authority has advised the fire poses no threat to communities, but said people should continue to stay informed and monitor conditions.
The grassfire is along the Calder Freeway at Kyneton between Edgecombe Road and Ebden Street.
“There are no reports of any property loss at this stage,” a CFA spokesman said.
Twenty-six appliances are responding to the fire, with additional air support.
Fourteen units are already on scene. A dozen appliances are on route.
The north-bound lane of the Calder Freeway remains closed between Edgecombe Road and Ebden Street as emergency services respond.
UPDATE, 3.22pm: The VicEmergency website is listing the Kyneton fire as contained. Twenty-five vehicles are on scene.
VicRoads released a statement saying delays should be expected in both directions on the Calder Freeway in Kyneton, due to a number of grass fires in the area.
UPDATE, 3.14pm: The CFA and VicEmergency has issued a Watch and Act notice for Kyneton.
It says the fire between Edgecomb Road and Ebden Street is not yet under control.
The Calder Freeway is closed between Edgecomb Road and Ebden Street.
The fire is travelling in a northerly direction.
Residents who live next to the grassland should quickly move away at least two streets away from the fire and remember to take pets, mobile phones and medications.
Other residents living two streets away from the fire should close exterior doors, windows and vents and turn off cooling systems, bring pets indoors and monitor conditions.
The next update is expected at 5.10pm or as the situation changes.
Visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au for more details.
UPDATE, 3.07pm: VicRoads has advised motorists to avoid the Calder Freeway at Kyneton as emergency services respond to a number of fires.
A spokesperson suggested those who had yet to set off delay their travel, and recommended that those who were driving turn on their headlights and adhere to any advice provided by emergency services on site.
EARLIER: A grass and scrub fire on the side of the Calder Freeway near Kyneton has forced the road to close.
Nine CFA crews are fighting the fire and police have closed the freeway and are directing traffic.
Smoke is across the freeway making visibility poor.
A CFA spokeswoman said the fire is not yet under control.
“The fire started on the side of the freeway. There is no indication of cause,” she said.
“There are closing the freeway and police are in attendance for traffic control.”
More to come.