A Rural Fire Service volunteer has been arrested and charged with lighting a series of bushfires on the state’s far south coast.

Seven fires have been deliberately lit in the Bega Valley area over the last five weeks.

The Financial Crime Squad’s Arson Unit have been investigating the fires in conjunction with RFS fire investigators and local police.

At about 5.20pm on Tuesday, officers saw observed a man sitting in a dual cab ute next to the Bega River.

Shortly afterwards, investigators noticed smoke and a pile of trees and grass on fire.

Later that night, police attended a fire shed at Tarraganda and arrested a 19-year-old man.

He’s alleged to have lit the fire and left the area before returning in his role as volunteer RFS firefighter.

The man’s vehicle has been seized for forensic examination, with police alleging he is responsible for seven different blazes in recent weeks.

He’s been charged and granted strict conditional bail to face court today.

The NSW RFS has issued the man a ‘Stand Down from Membership’ notice, with Commissioner Shane Fitzsimmons describing it as the “ultimate betrayal” (full statement below).