East Gippsland Crime Investigation Unit detectives have charged a man following multiple spot fires in Lakes Entrance last Thursday, December 19.
Police will allege the man lit a series of fires along Main Beach Walk about 3.30pm.
No one was injured.
Country Fire Authority crews were called to the deliberately lit fires on the sand dunes at Lakes Entrance which have a thick layer of scrub.
It was Thursday afternoon when local surf lifesavers raised the alarm and sought to extinguish the fire, but it was discovered there were multiple fires.
Crews from Lakes Entrance and Toorloo Arm Fire Brigades responded, but with multiple fires and accessibility issues, aircraft were called to support for surveillance and fire suppression. Ground crews then finished blacking out.
CFA crews were supported by Surf Life Saving Lakes Entrance club members, Victoria Police, Ambulance Victoria and Forest Fire Management Victoria, with all agencies working well together to secure the area and stop further fire spread.
The scene attracted a large crowd to the Esplanade who witnessed the aircraft swooping low over the town to target their dumps of water on the fire. An observation helicopter was also airborne.
The fixed wing aircraft used to extinguish the fire is new this year and allows the plane to scoop water from the lake, making the turnaround time for dropping water much quicker.
The 44-year-old man who allegedly lit the fires was arrested at the scene and has since been charged with intentionally lighting a bushfire.
The man from Roxborough Park was remanded to appear before Bairnsdale Court on March 26, 2025.
