Authorities were alerted to the blaze, which started near the Laharum-Graham's Bridge Road and Staerhs Road intersection, about 1pm.

The fire, sparked by harvest machinery, burnt about 88 hectares of cropping and standing stubble that was still to be harvested, as well as grazing paddocks.

It was declared under control at 2.58pm.

Laharum Fire Brigade captain Luke Dumesny said a helicopter flew over the site on Wednesday, and used an infrared camera to look for hot spots.

“It only found one. We thought we might have been there for more of Wednesday, but the work from crews in the 48 hours prior was great,” he said.

“The timing of the year wasn't ideal. A lot of people were committed to Christmas and going away – which is completely understandable – as well as harvest.

“But we had a great response from the community and surrounding communities to come in and assist.

“We had 17 tankers there at the peak as well as four bombers and Forest Fire Management Victoria.

“To have all them and 20-odd private units was greatly appreciated.”

Mr Dumesny said crews, including CFA and Forrest Fire Management personnel, continued to patrol the fire on Christmas Day.

“We put a couple of posts on our local Facebook page thanking everyone who gave up Christmas and spending time with their families to help,” he said.

“Everyone who got off their own headers to come in their private units or on the fire trucks from the brigades who turned out, we’re so grateful. It just goes to show that the area is really supportive of one another.

“Especially with Thursday being a total fire ban day, we wanted to make sure we threw everything at it hard early and got everything blacked out with the heatwave that was coming.”