POLICE have attended nearly 40 fires in the North East since restrictions were enacted, including eight blazes suspected of being arson.
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The fire danger period was declared on October 26 last year and 38 fires have since been recorded.
Inspector David Ryan said 18 were considered to be intentionally or deliberately lit and eight thought to be arson.
Most of the seven recorded vehicle fires were deemed suspicious and there were six farm fires.
“Police remain concerned at the number of incidents involving people deliberately and recklessly starting fires across the North East,” he said.
“It is a concern as each and every fire has the potential to do a lot of damage across our communities and put lives at risk.
“We need to be right on top of our vigilance around fire awareness and fire safety.”
Only five of the fires were natural events.
Of particular concern is that 11 occurred on total fire ban days.
Police remain concerned at the number of incidents involving people deliberately and recklessly starting fires across the North East
- Inspector David Ryan
Inspector Ryan said extensive rainfall had created a false sense of security.
“It’s gone back to being nice and green at the moment,” he said.
“But it doesn’t alleviate the risk that we face.
“Be mindful of your activities during fire danger periods.
“It could be your actions that result in the loss of life or property.”
Inspector Ryan said two young offenders had been charged over one bushfire.
Officers are running Operation Firesetter targeting bushfire arson in a bid to prevent such incidents.
Hume regional controller Stewart Kreltszheim said the fire risk continued despite extensive recent rainfall.
“It helped us secure the fires that were still burning in the landscape, particularly the Barnawartha fire,” he said of the rain.
“It certainly gave us some days of reprieve.
"February is traditionally our hottest month and we could have another cycle of hot weather, bringing with it fires.
“So it's certainly too early to pull up stumps and say the season is done and dusted.
"The message in the district is that it's never over until it's over.
“There can still be a day that jumps out of the blue and threatens life and property.”
The maximum penalty for arson causing death is 25 years jail and 15 years for intentionally or recklessly causing a bushfire.