The flames broke out about 11.30am and were a very real reminder bushfire season had arrived.

Starting by the Murray River, a strong strong south-westerly wind blew the blaze straight toward the town but was stopped by fire crews near Short Street.

Morley Drive resident Betty Wilson said she raced home from Yarrawonga when she heard news of the fire.

“I could see smoke, fire trucks and helicopters, it’s usually really quiet on this street,” she said.

“I’ve always got things packed, important documents and special items ready to put in the car and go – just leave the house.

“I’ve been through fires before and they are scary.”

Down the road at Cofield Wines, brothers Damien and Andrew had feared the fire had spread to their property.

Andrew attached a 1000 litre fire cart to the back of his ute while Damien drove to check the back of the property.

”It wasn’t on our land, which was a great relief,” Damien said.

“We drove down to the fire which was approaching our neighbours property, it looked like it could jump the fence because the wind was blowing our direction.

“At some stage the wind was blowing back on itself which helped, it was a really swirly wind.”

Andrew said the pair attempted to douse the flames until firefighters arrived.

“It was only a grass fire, but it was creeping up dead trees,” he said.

“It was burning faster than we could put it out.”

Next door at the Pickled Sisters Cafe, owner Marion Hansford said staff kept an eye on the fire and checked the CFA website.

“It reminded us of how careful and vigilant we all have to be, because it can happen anywhere just like that,” she said.

The fire burnt through three hectares of land before it was brought under control at 1.30pm.

CFA crews were assisted by a helicopter water bomber and NSW Fire and Rescue personnel from Albury and Corowa.

District 24 operations manager Mark Owens said people should download the CFA app.

“It is certainly suspicious,” he said.

“Those wind conditions made everything move really quickly.”