ARSON attacks in the Bendalong area could put property and lives at risk as temperatures soar this week.
The Shoalhaven Rural Fire Service has asked residents of Manyana and Bendalong to keep a look out for arsonists believed to be responsible for more than 30 fires in the area over the past four weeks.
Fire crews were called to a number of fires last week, the latest in a string of blazes in bushland near the isolated villages.
Tim Carroll from the Shoalhaven RFS said the latest incident occurred on Saturday night when a fire was deliberately lit near Waratah Street in Bendalong.
He said conditions were favourable and the fire was quickly extinguished.
The Bendalong and Cunjurong Point fire brigades were also called to blazes at the Manyana Beach car park on Friday night, in bushland the corner of Inyadda Drive and Bendalong Road on Thursday night and bushland behind Monument Beach at Bendalong on Wednesday night.
The RFS is working closely with Ulladulla Police in an attempt to catch to offending person or people and Mr Carroll said evidence has been collected at more than 20 sites.
He has warned that this week's predicted very hot weather conditions could put lives and property at risk if the arson attacks continue.
"The local brigades are on stand-by if any fires are lit this week.
"We are asking residents to be alert and contact Crime Stoppers if they suspect anyone of lighting fires in the Bendalong area," he said.
Shoalhaven RFS Group Four caption Paul Gleeson from Cunjurong Point, said signs have been erected around the villages asking for information and reminding people to report fires or suspicious activities.
He said evidence of additional fires, extinguished by light rain, has also been found in bushland.
The cool days and recent rainfall has prevented fires from spreading, but Mr Gleeson said as the bush dries out and temperatures increase, the likelihood of fires getting out of hand will increase.
He said up to 15 members of the two local brigades were being called out, mainly between 9.30pm and midnight to extinguish the fires.
“Most of these people have day jobs and they’re being dragged out of bed to these fires most nights.
“The brigades are coping well, but it’s starting to become a bit of a hindrance to their lives.”
He said a fire at Washerwoman’s Beach on Melbourne Cup Day was lit during a total fire ban and caused some concern.
Manyana and Bendalong residents are still haunted by the fires of January 2001 that threatened the villages.
Residents were evacuated to the Milton Showground and many had to escape the village by boat after the only access road was closed.
RFS personnel have been carrying out hazard reduction burns around the village in an effort to prevent a repeat of the 2001 devastation.
Police have described the latest string of attacks as “senseless and serious”, with the offender facing up to 14 years in jail if caught.
Anyone with information can call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333000 or Ulladulla Police on 4454 2542.
Special fire fighters dropped into gorge
SPECIALLY trained fire fighters have been called in to battle a blaze near Pigeon House Mountain.
The fire ignited in the Pigeon House Gorge about four kilometres north of the mountain during a wild lightning storm last Tuesday night.
Specialist National Parks and Wildlife Service crews were flown into the remote and inaccessible region via helicopter on Thursday and, by Saturday, had the blaze contained.
NPWS regional operations coordinator Ian Smith said about three hectares of the Moreton National park was burnt out as a result of the fire.
He said the crew, experienced in fighting remote fires, was winched into the area and battled the blaze with chainsaws and rake hoes.
“These are specially trained, very fit people that are dropped into the fire ground.
“Helicopters are kept close by in case they need to be extracted quickly.
“It’s been really hard work,” he said.
NPWS helicopters were also called in to water bomb the blaze which was fully extinguished on Monday.
“We will be keeping an eye on the area in case it flares up in the coming days,” Mr Smith said.
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