A man has been arrested following a series of deliberately lit fires near Bookpurnong, south of Berri.
The alarm was first raised about 11.50pm on Wednesday after a large scrub fire was reported adjacent to Bookpurnong Road in between vineyards.
Then about 6.30am yesterday morning, a scrub fire was reported south of Nitschke Road.
The fire was brought under control around 7.45am.
As Murray Mallee police commenced a search of the area with PolAir, further grass fires were identified in the proximity.
Police responded to a total of eight grass fires in the area around Bookpurnong.
Just before 6:00pm, police located the suspect hiding in the river and he was subsequently arrested.
A 49-year-old local man is expected to be charged later this evening.
SA Police wish to thank CFS, SES and National Parks for their assistance.
CFS remain on Katarapko Island in response to the fires which are still burning.
These fires do not currently pose a risk to the community, however smoke may be visible from some distance and anyone in the area is encouraged to stay alert via cfs.sa.gov.au
