ALMOST on the eve of what threatens to be another dangerous bushfire season authorities are desperate to trace a firebug who set fire to bushland in the Hassans Walls Reserve on Wednesday.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
Firefighters who were called after smoke was sighted in the reserve around 1pm found three ignition points.
The fireground was along a track that leads from a point near the top of the climb to Hassans Walls along the western ridge to terminate near the television translator station on the mountain above Hill Range Crescent.
There is a locked gate at the entrance point to the track, leading authorities to believe that the firebug was probably on a trail bike or possibly a mountain bike.
In fact police confirmed yesterday they are seeking the rider of a trail bike seen leaving the area at the time.
Rural Fire Service area superintendent Greg Wardle said firefighters were seriously surprised — and concerned — at how quickly the fire had taken hold and spread following the recent wet and cold weather conditions.
The fire burnt out around five hectares of undergrowth and in the windy conditions it was necessary for the RFS teams to backburn to control the blaze.
It was almost nightfall before the fireground was considered safe.
The thick pall of smoke could be seen from Lithgow and the Hartley Valley.
Supt Wardle said it was of major concern that an arsonist was again active in the area with the official bushfire danger period now less than two weeks away.
Police and RFS specialist investigators are seeking clues to the identity of the offender and are seeking public input relating to trailbikers, cyclists or anyone else seen acting suspiciously in the vicinity of the reserve early on Wednesday afternoon.
The arson attack had ominous similarities to a major fire that led to evacuations in the Vale of Clwydd area last year.