The man was using an angle-grinder to cut some bolts off a water tank on a total fire ban day.

The sparks from the grinder lit the waist-high grass on fire.

The fire started on the Bendigo-Murchison Road and swiftly moved toward the Campaspe River.

The 25km/h to 30km/h winds moved the fire rapidly; CFA crews from Goornong and Elmore contained the fire in a short period of time.

Leading Senior Constable Darren Sherger said the man had allegedly failed to comply with fire restrictions.

"We have zero tolerance on any breaches of the Country Fire Authority acts," he said.

"This highlights what we are going to have this summer.

"The point we are trying to get across is common sense has got to prevail.

"If you are going to breach CFA Acts you will have to face the consequences."

The man suffered minor burns but was not hospitalised.