The boys, aged nine and 11, were seen by a member of the public lighting fires against a tree on the school's oval about 12.35pm on Monday.

Police were called, and went and spoke with the two boys.

They had extinguished the fire themselves, and allegedly told police they were only lighting fires to keep themselves warm.

Police took the children to the Tuggeranong Police Station and called their parents.

The 11 year old will now be put through a restorative justice program, and both have been released into the custody of their parents.

Restorative justice is designed to make offenders see the potential consequences of their actions.

It can, for example, include sitting down face-to-face with firefighters or those affected by fire.

Acting South District Superintendent Daryl Neit said restorative justice did not mean offenders would always avoid the court system.

“The process is intended to augment the criminal justice system and can run in conjunction with existing criminal justice processes," Acting Superintendent Neit said.

"If the offender doesn't fulfil their obligations under the scheme, the matter can still be put before the court."

Two teenagers caught lighting fires in grassland in Canberra's north during the severe fire conditions of Tuesday, January 8, have also been put through a restorative justice process.