A HISTORIC farm near Ballarat has burned to the ground in a 1150ha fire at Snake Valley.

The multi-million-dollar Carngham Station was destroyed last night in a grass fire that swept through the Chepstowe area, west of Ballarat.

More than 250 DSE and CFA firefighters battled the blaze, which had a 17km perimeter.

The blaze is believed to have started at 3.20pm yesterday and residents were evacuated from 3.45pm.

Acting Sergeant Brendan Vann from Ballarat Police Station said a ute being used for harvesting was believed to have sparked the blaze with its exhaust.

CFA authorities were on site when the fire broke out, but it was too hot to contain, razing the station and homestead.

The blaze was one of at least 13 fires burning across the state last night.

Carngham Station live-in gardener, Ron Bolton, said his house was the only building still standing.

Mr Bolton told News Ltd he was amazed at how quickly the house went up.

"When it was burning from across the road first it was quite furious early on, there was no visibility and a lot of smoke, but when this place caught up it was pretty much calmed down and we thought it was pretty safe, then just happened to see a little fire start in the corner of the house,'' he said.

The homestead was still smouldering this morning, with only the thick, brick walls and a wrought iron bath tub still standing.

It was one of four homes destroyed in the fire.

More than 200 prime Angus cattle were also destroyed and the surrounding farmland was burned.

The CFA said the fire was now contained.

In 2006 the 1052ha station was sold by Elders for $10 million.

The undulating property has been used for cropping, cattle and sheep as well as growing cereal crops.

The station, 23km from Ballarat, had an extensive garden and historic 14-stand woolshed.

Carngham Station was established by Philip Russell during selection in the 1860s, originally covering more than 20,234ha.

It was reduced by soldier settlement and other sales until only 728ha remained.

It was then purchased by racehorse trainer Greg Mance in 1989, who eventually increased the station to about 1862ha.

He later ran fine wool Merino sheep and Hereford cattle as well as race horses and cropping.

In late 2006 the Hardman family purchased 1052ha of the station, running more than 600 Angus breeding cows and growing wheat and canola.

Other sections of the station were sold about the same time.

The remaining 304ha of the station hit the market in 2007 and sold for $2.2 million.

The property, known as Greenbanks, is dominated by a large lake, spanning 16ha when full.

At the time Greenbanks sat on nine titles and 16 crown allotments.

The undulating property has been used for cropping, cattle and sheep as well as growing cereal crops.

The property sits to the north of Station Lane, Carngham.

Selling agent Graham Rees refused to comment on the property.