Car exhaust ignites Katunga fires

By Monique Preston

Jan 5, 2026

Two fires in stubble at Katunga last week were started by a car driving through a paddock with a hot exhaust, according to the CFA.

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Three fire-bombing aircraft and more than 30 fire trucks on the ground fought the fires that burnt four paddocks of stubble on Friday, January 2.

Firefighters were called to two stubble fires on Sandmount Rd shortly before noon.

One fire burnt 60 hectares, while the second burnt about 15 hectares.

The CFA said both fires were close to each other and were both started by a car with a hot exhaust that was driven through paddocks.

The fires burnt in paddocks along Sandmount Rd, between Labuan Rd and Kokoda Rd.

Firefighters battled against winds of 15 to 30km/h that fanned the blazes.

A ‘stay informed’ notice was issued by VicEmergency for people in the Katunga, Muckatah, Naring, Numurkah and Sandmount areas for smoke in the area.

However, there was no threat to the community.

The fire was brought under control at 1.53pm, and deemed safe at 3.30pm.

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