1.00pm
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Both southbound lanes of the Calder Highway have now reopened.
12.46pm:
A car travelling south on the Calder Highway on Wednesday was the cause of a grass fire at Big Hill.
Leading Senior Constable David Hockey of Bendigo Highway Patrol said a woman in her 60s was driving a Mitsubishi Outlander along the highway about 11.45am, when she noticed the vehicle was playing up.
He said the car started to smoke, so she pulled to the side of the road.
A policeman from Swan Hill was travelling behind the Outlander and pulled over to assist.
Leading Senior Constable Hockey said the policeman helped the woman out of the vehicle and moved her away.
The Outlander was then engulfed in flames.
Its tyres exploded, causing a grass fire.
Leading Senior Constable Hockey said Country Fire Authority crews swiftly attended to the car and grass fires.
He said no one was injured.
Watch the full interview here:
12.28pm:
A burnt-out car is by the side of the Calder Highway, surrounded by Country Fire Authority vehicles.
There are also burn marks on the road by the car.
The grass fire appears to be extinguished. Spot fires had popped up on the side of the road and median strip, but have also been put out.
Emergency services crews remain at the scene. Traffic is still closed to one south-bound lane.
12.15pm
One south-bound lane of the highway has re-opened.
Police are on scene, directing traffic.
Country Fire Authority crews are also there.
Earlier
THE Calder Highway at Big Hill is closed to all south-bound traffic due to a grass fire.
Emergency services are at the scene.
The fire started before lunchtime on Wednesday.
Traffic is backed up on the highway.
VicRoads warns smoke could affect visibility and reminds drivers to turn their headlights on and slow down.
More to come.