A Mawson man has been charged by police following a number of small grass fires in Curtin near Government House early on Saturday morning.
Luke Grey Thoroughgood, 20, appeared before the ACT Magistrates Court on Saturday and was sent for a mental health assessment.
A number of small grass fires were deliberately lit about 2am on Saturday at the northern edge of Curtin near Government House.
ACT Fire and Rescue officers extinguished the fires and no property was damaged.
After an extensive search of the area police took the Mr Thoroughgood into custody about 3.40am.
He was charged with lighting a fire during a total fire ban.
Mr Thoroughgood was sent for a mental health assessment under section 309 of the Crimes Act by Magistrate James Lawton.
People found lighting fires during total fire ban periods can face penalties of up to $32,000 in fines or two years of imprisonment.
Police have urged the public to report suspicious activity in the ACT's open land or urban fringes to report it to police by calling 131 444 or 000 in an emergency.
