INACCESSIBLE TERRAIN: The rugged landscape at the Long Point fire, north of Orange, has presented a challenge for firefighters as they battled the 475-hectare blaze this week.
WHAT started as a bit of fun on New Year’s Eve has landed a 29-year-old Orange man in court facing charges for bushfire and explosives.
Orange detectives interviewed a man yesterday in relation to fireworks that were illegally set off at a campground on the Macquarie River at Long Point.
Police were told one of the fireworks fell over and shot across the river to dry scrubland, which caught alight.
A 29-year-old man swam across the river and unsuccessfully attempted to extinguish the fire, suffering burns to his left shoulder.
The man was issued with a court notice to face charges of causing fire to the property of another, handling explosives without an authorising licence and negligently handling explosives to cause property damage.
Police from Canobolas Local Area Command and the Arson Unit have been investigating the fire under Strike Force Tronto.
The fire was declared a Section 44 on Tuesday January 1, which allowed for further resources to be brought in to contain the blaze.
Since it began volunteer firefighters have been at the scene of the blaze around the clock in an attempt to bring it under control and protect isolated properties in the area.
The man is due to appear in Orange Local Court on Thursday February 21.
nadine.morton@fairfaxmedia.com.au