FIREFIGHTERS spent New Year's Eve responding to a fire at the Delatite Arm Reserve near Goughs Bay, with crews working day and night to contain the blaze which ripped through hectares of bushland.

Reported at approximately 9.30pm last Tuesday night, both Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMV) and local Country Fire Authority (CFA) crews attended the fire which was burning along the Highett Ridge Track.

It had high potential to impact campers and nearby communities if it wasn’t contained, with firefighters and resources responding quickly to the call-out.

Under challenging conditions on New Year's day, approximately 50 firefighters then focused their efforts on securing both the eastern and western flanks of the fire, constructing containment lines.

Fire-bombing aircraft and heavy machinery were used in the campaign supporting on-ground works.

A total of five aircraft, three dozers and one excavator, along with five CFA tankers and three FFMV tankers and 11 slip-ons tackled the blaze over the three-day period.

FFMVic Incident Controller Brendan Purcell praised operators on doing an excellent job supporting ground firefighters to contain the fire.

“Thanks to the quick response from CFA (Country Fire Authority) and Forest Fire Management Victoria (FFMVic), the fire’s spread was limited to 19 hectares in the steep and difficult terrain,” he said.

With the fire contained on January 2, FFMV crews remained on the fireground patrolling, managing hazardous trees, and extinguishing hot spots.

“We appreciate the support we received from the community and visitors to respond to the fire during such a busy time of the year,” said Mr Purcell.

Forest Fire Management Victoria and Victoria Police are investigating the cause of the fire.

Fire investigators are seeking information from people who may have witnessed the use of illegal fireworks within campsites, Highett Ridge Track or other elevated areas during the afternoon and evening of December 31.

Information relating to vehicle activity during the lead-up to the fire along any firebreaks in the vicinity of Highett Ridge Track is also being sought.

Anyone with information that may assist investigators is asked to contact the DEECA Customer Contact Centre on 136 186 or Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.

Campers and visitors are advised to avoid the fire area, as some forest tracks remain closed.