Man charged over three WA bushfires

A man has been charged with lighting three separate bushfires in six days near Albany in Western Australia.

Last month, firefighters battled two fires near along Settlement Road in Narrikup, between Albany and Mount Barker, which began within an hour of each other.

The first fire spread to nearby farm land and burnt 1.6 hectares of land before being brought under control.

Within an hour around seven kilometres away, a second fire began on Settlement Road, which also spread to nearby farm land and burnt about about one hectare before being brought under control.

Six days later, another fire was lit on Settlement Road.

This fire spread to nearby farm land and burnt 40 hectares before being brought under control several days later, after significant emergency resources were needed, including fire fighting aircraft.

A WA police spokesman said all three fires were a danger to people, livestock and property.

On Sunday, Albany detectives charged a 40-year-old local man with three counts of wilfully lighting a fire likely to injure or damage.

He will appear in court on February 20.