A MOWER has been identified as having started a fire on Monday, 3 March which burnt 26 hectares of grass and scrub near Glenrowan.

CFA confirmed the cause on Friday while issuing a statewide caution to landowners, farmers, and machinery operators to remain alert to the fire risk this autumn.

A CFA spokesperson said 32 CFA appliances from multiple local brigades responded alongside Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic), with air attack support deployed to help slow the fire’s spread.

At its peak the fire prompted a Watch and Act warning for residents in the Glenrowan, Laceby and Greta West area, urging them to prepare to leave.

The fire burned for three days before it was deemed safe late Wednesday afternoon.

CFA fire investigator Daryl Owen said the fire was a stark reminder of how easily machinery can ignite a fire in dry conditions.

"If you're using machinery, it's very important to assess the conditions beforehand and take steps to prevent sparks," he said.

"Working in the early morning, maintaining your equipment, and having firefighting tools on hand can make all the difference."

CFA District 23 assistant chief fire officer Steve Contessa reinforced that fire danger remained a concern, even as autumn begins.

"Even with summer behind us, dry grass and warm conditions mean fires can still spread rapidly," he said.

"The Glenrowan fire showed how much effort it takes to contain a fast-moving grassfire once it spreads into difficult terrain.

“We urge machinery operators to be mindful of their surroundings and take every precaution to prevent fires like this from starting."

For advice on fire restrictions and safe machinery use during the Fire Danger Period visit CFA’s website.

Don’t use machinery on high-risk days, unless:

• It’s free from faults and mechanical defects that could cause an outbreak of fire.

• It’s fitted with a spark arrester in working order, a turbocharger or exhaust aspirated air cleaner.

• It carries fire suppression equipment comprising either: at least one knapsack spray pump, in working order, fully charged with water, with a capacity of not less than nine litres; or at least one water (stored pressure) fire extinguisher, in working order, fully charged with water and maintained at the correct pressure, with a capacity of not less than nine litres.

Despite summer drawing to a close, the Australian Seasonal Bushfire Outlook warns that elevated fire risk will continue through early autumn in western and central Victoria, as well as south and west Gippsland, due to dry conditions and warmer-than-average temperatures.