In his attempt to avoid causing an accident, he drove the truck off the road into a small cleared area where he unsuccessfully tried to extinguish the fire. 

Goulburn Fire Brigade and RFS units from Mulwaree Support Brigade, Towrang and Parkesbourne worked together to put out the hay fire and the small grass blaze that subsequently started.

The driver believed the fire started from the truck’s exhaust stack.

Police set up a partial warning point on the other side of the hill to warn motorists. The Roads and Maritime Services was also contacted to set up a lane closure and provide a loader to remove the large hay bales from the truck so they could more easily be extinguished.