BRIGADES stopped the spread of a truck and hay fire on Monday, the first day of summer restrictions in the Loddon Shire.
Large bales were being carted on Blossom Hill Road, between Woodstock West and Shelbourne, about 4pm when hay burst into flames.
Woodstock West brigade was first on the scene with incident controller Trent Brister calling in support from neighbouring brigades including Bridgewater, Inglewood and Eddington.
Crews stopped the spreading fire in a paddock and then spent more than an hour pouring water on burning hay.
Mr Brister said the truck, which was destroyed in the fire, was carrying an estimated eight square bales.
Fire restrictions for Loddon, Buloke, Gannawarra, Campaspe, Northern Grampians and Swan Hill council areas started at 1am Monday. Restrictions for Greater Bendigo come into force next Monday.
Permits are required for burn-offs during the declared fire danger period and the CFA says farmers should avoid driving vehicles through dry vegetation in hot and dry conditions “even if it is not a total fire ban day, because of the risk posed by the hot exhaust system(s)”.