POLICE have arrested a man in relation to a bush fire which came close to homes in Aberdare this year.

The fire happened on January 17, when emergency services responded to reports of a fire in the Melbourne St area at Aberdare.

Four water-bombing helicopters and 170 fire fighters were deployed to combat the blaze, which continued into the next day and eventually burned out 100 hectares of bushland.

Detectives from Central Hunter Local Area Command formed Strike Force Cadell to investigate the cause of the fire.

As a result of these inquiries, a 20-year-old man attended Cessnock Police Station about 3.45pm Wednesday.

Officers arrested the man and charged him with intentionally cause fire and be reckless as to its spread.

He was granted conditional bail to appear in Cessnock Local Court on June 5.

Police will allege the bush fire started as a result of the man setting alight and abandoning a car on a fire trail.