Man charged with starting bushfires in NSW

A man has been charged with deliberately lighting bushfires near Bathurst in NSW's central west.

Detectives arrested the 53-year-old at his property in Sofala on Tuesday following an investigation into eight bushfires in the Sofala, Ilford and Wattle Flat areas on January 29 and January 31.

He has been charged with four counts of intentionally causing fire and being reckless as to its spread, as well as one count of damaging property by fire.

The man was refused bail to appear at Bathurst Local Court on Wednesday.