A WA police officer has been charged with breaching a total fire ban by using an angle grinder on his Perth Hills property, which is believed to have sparked one of the state's most devastating bushfires.

It has taken more than 48 hours for fire investigators to speak to the officer, who is currently on leave and was off-duty at the time of the incident.

Fire investigators initially held fears for the man's safety, after widespread reports over his use of the angle grinder left the community reeling, with police patrols to his property stepped up.

The officer is understood to have grown quite upset over the devastation the fires have caused, with 72 houses confirmed totally destroyed and another 32 badly damaged. He also held concerns for his family.

Although the officer originally stayed with his property to fight the fire, he had left by Monday.