Two boys will be dealt with under the Young Offenders Act after lighting a fire which spread uncontrollably near Port Stephens, NSW Police say.
About 1pm today, a bushfire was observed in Lighthouse Reserve on Shoal Bay peninsular.
Two members of the public detained two 16-year-old boys who were seen moving away from the location of the fire.
Fire & Rescue NSW officers and Rural Fire Service personnel attended and extinguished the blaze, which burnt out about an acre of bushland.
Police from Port Stephens Local Area Command attended and arrested the two boys.
They were taken to Nelson Bay Police Station where their parents were contacted.
Officers determined the boys had lit a camp fire during a total fire ban which subsequently spread out of control. However it is not believed they had malicious intent.
The two boys will be subject to a Youth Justice Conference under the Young Offenders Act.
The incident serves as a reminder of the consequences that can result from failing to abide by fire bans.
