The fire was declared under control at 5.15pm, about two hours after it was first reported.

A Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning spokesperson said the fire ignited from fuel remaining behind from a planned burn at McDonald Park this month.

“The burn was conducted, a perimeter was established around it and it was being monitored. It was always expected that some unburnt fuel would remain. Crews have continued to work on blacking out the 50-hectare fire ground since,” the spokesperson said.

“An internal flare up within the established perimeter of the burn occurred due to the extreme fire weather conditions. It burnt itself out, and crews will to monitor the fire ground overnight on Thursday,” the spokesperson said.

“As an added precaution, an aerial surveillance scan for hotspots using infra-red thermal imaging technology was undertaken on Thursday afternoon.”

Forrest Fire Management Victoria fire crews and Country Fire Authority volunteers from Ararat, Great Western and Moyston attended the bushfire.

Residents of Ararat and surrounds may continue to see or smell smoke from the 'Ararat-Madex Track' planned burn, which was ignited on December 6.

Ararat Regional Park is regularly fuel reduced by Forest Fire Management Victoria and CFA, with a focus on reducing the spread and intensity of bushfires near Ararat.