UPDATE – 2.30PM SUNDAY
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AN incident at Rich Avon West was declared safe earlier this afternoon.
Crews were called to a house fire on Minyip-Rich Avon Road on Sunday morning.
Fire investigators are working to determine the cause.
UPDATE – 11.20AM SUNDAY
ONE crew remains on scene at a house fire in Rich Avon West.
The incident started just after 9am on Sunday.
A State Control Centre spokeswoman said crews had called in St Arnaud Fire Brigade – which has a thermal imaging camera – to inspect the ceiling of the property.
UPDATE – 9.26AM SUNDAY
FIRE crews are working to extinguish a house fire in Rich Avon West, while fires at Telopea Downs and Sheep Hills are under control.
Firefighters are responding to the incident Rich Avon West incident on Minyip-Rich Avon Road.
A State Control Centre spokeswoman said crews were called to the fire just after 9am on Sunday.
She said three trucks were on scene.
The spokeswoman said crews brought the Telopea Downs fire under control about 7pm on Saturday.
“It was called in just after 5pm on Friday as two columns of smoke rising,” she said.
“Crews confirmed it was a grass and scrub fire.
“Firefighters have completed constructing a fire break around the perimeter of the fire.
“Today the land owner will patrol the area, supported by Telopea Downs brigade captain.”
The spokeswoman said the Sheep Hills fire – which started just before 4pm on Friday – was also under control.
“The Kellalac-Sheep Hills Road is now open, and three tankers are remaining on scene through Sunday morning,” she said.
“We still don't know the cause of the fire.”
A Country Fire Authority advice warning remains in place for residents in the area.
Crews were also called to a grass fire on the Henty Highway at Rosebery on Saturday afternoon.
The fire is under control, but the Country Fire Authority has issued an advice warning for people in the area.
The spokeswoman said crews were called to the incident at 3.20pm.
Four brigades attended, and the fire was under control by about 4.30pm.
“At the moment it's been contained to around 100 hectares,” the spokeswoman said.
“Crews were there into Saturday evening blacking out.”
The Country Fire Authority has declared Sunday a total fire ban day in the Mallee.
A heat health alert is also in place for the region.
UPDATE 6.28PM FRIDAY
FIREFIGHTERS are responding to another fire north of Telopea Downs on Chappel Road.
District 17 operations manager Dale Russell said the fire was started by lightning at 5.15pm.
He said fire trucks and water bombers are at the scene.
Mr Russell the grass fire at Sheep Hills was contained. He said the fire had burnt 500 hectares.
“Water bombers have been released and we are now looking to contain the fire and make it safe,” he said.
The Horsham Air Base was used for the first time to supply water to the water bombers fighting the Sheep Hills fire.
Airbase manager bomber loader John Robinson said volunteers loaded four bombers from the airbase.
Mr Robinson said have the Horsham airbase improved turn around time for the water bombers who were flew out within four minutes of landing.
He said the the air base had decreased time spent retrieving water, which kept the fire small.
“It is about keeping the fire small to keep the community safe,” he said.
5.08PM FRIDAY
FIREFIGHTERS are responding to a grass fire on Kellalac Road at Sheep Hills.
District 17 operations manager Dale Russell said 20 fire trucks were on the scene after the report about 4pm.
Mr Russell said the fire had burnt about 400 hectares by about 5pm.
He said a water bombing aircraft was attacking the head of the fire.
“The forward spread of the fire has been halted by the northern wind,” he said.
Mr Russell said a watch and act advice was issued to the community.
“They need to be aware of what is around them and act accordingly,” he said.
More to come.