We show that the partial oxidation of CH4 to produce H-2 and CO can be accomplished within similar to5 s starting at ambient temperature by igniting a stoichiometric feed of CH4 and air to rapidly heat a Rh on alpha-alumina catalyst to a temperature where catalytic ignition occurs. By measuring the temperature of the catalyst versus time, it is shown that syngas temperatures can be attained within a few seconds, and sampling of product gases shows that H-2 and CO are produced in these times. A simple lumped model of the heating process shows that the high heat generation of combustion and the small mass of the monolith catalyst should be capable of producing these heating rates. This configuration should be useful for fast lightoff in hydrogen generation in transportation and stationary applications of fuel cells for electricity generation.