Griffith LAC and the Rural Fire Service in Griffith are have serious concerns about potential firebugs in the area after a serious of fires have kept volunteers busy.
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The RFS have attended and stopped two fires on Thursday August 17, one fire on Friday evening and another two on Saturday.
The fire on Friday August 18 started around 11pm in scrub land between Rifle Range Road and Manera Street Griffith, and saw about 200 meters of scrub burning.
On Sunday there were no ignitions but the RFS still kept a vehicle patrolling in the area.
Coordinator of operational services for the MIA district Rural Fire Service Inspector Jason Wall has said they are working closely with Griffith LAC to catch the person or persons responsible.
”We’ve had a series of unexplained fires from last Thursday onwards around the Scenic Hill area, and although they are only little fires at this stage they have the potential to pose a real threat to the community,” he said.
The fires are taking up RFS volunteer’s time, which Inspector Wall says is concerning because these are not naturally occurring fires.
“It is not summer yet but its not the point, this should not be happening at all this time of year – there is no lightening or anything else to cause them, especially the incident on Friday night because it was raining.”
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Chief Inspector John Wadsworth from Griffith LAC strongly urges the community to be aware of fires and to report anything immediately to police.
“The fires appear to be deliberately lit, so I would implore all members of the community to keeps their eyes out as we are going to be coming into bush fire season,” he said.
“If someone out there is getting the taste for it is a real concern to us.”
If you see anything suspicious, contact Griffith Police Station on 6969 4299 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
