Properties at Benloch and Lancefield were under threat after a large fire broke out on Frost Road last Thursday afternoon.
About 60 appliances from CFA and Forest Fire Management Victoria turned out just before 1pm to battle the out-of-control blaze as it spread across 70 hectares of scrub and bush.
The CFA issued an emergency warning to take shelter immediately as the fire moved in a southerly direction towards Burke and Wills Track.
With assistance from firefighting helicopters, brigades had the situation under control by 4pm with crews continuing to work through the night to patrol and secure the area.
A fire investigator was called in to investigate the cause of the blaze. It is thought a resident’s burn off may have escaped.
Fire restrictions for the Macedon Ranges were only lifted last Tuesday.
CFA CEO Jason Heffernan said it was unusual to see fires of this level in April but a lot of the state was quite dry.
“Some parts of this state are at record levels of rainfall deficit,” he said.
“It is dry — we just haven’t had the rainfall.”
