A man who is accused of lighting the Christmas Day Sunbury fires was out on bail on other arson-related charges, according to a media report.

The fast-moving fire on Melbourne's northern fringe sent residents fleeing family lunches around 12pm.

A helicopter helps the effort to control a fire in Sunbury on Christmas Day. Credit:Simon O'Dwyer

The 47-year-old man accused of lighting that fire is also alleged to have lit another one in the region four days later on December 29. He was charged on January 2 with 13 offences over the two incidents.

According to a Channel Nine news report, the man who is alleged to have lit the fire was out on bail on October 27, 2015 for a previous arson charge.