ACT Policing said officers put out the fires, which started during the total fire ban about 7.25pm Friday, when it was still about 36 degrees in Canberra.

They said officers on patrol in Belconnen saw an orange Daewoo sedan being driven erratically.

"The driver of the vehicle ignored police signals to stop and a pursuit began. The pursuit was terminated after some 40 seconds as the pursued vehicle entered a cul de sac," police said in a statement.

"As police approached the vehicle, the occupant jumped out and ran, throwing containers of liquid which ignited. Police stopped their foot pursuit of the offender and used their patrol vehicle’s portable extinguishers to put out the fire."

Police said they arrested the man an hour later and took him to Calvary Hospital, where he was treated for burns.

"The 32-year-old Hackett man has been charged with a range of serious traffic offences, as well as acts endangering life and deliberately lighting fires during a total fire ban," police said.

He is expected to appear before the ACT Magistrates Court Saturday.