Tweed-Byron police and NSW Fire & Rescue are making regular patrols of local bushland areas after identifying numerous fires that have been deliberately lit over the past few weeks.
The warning comes as the region continues to dry out.
For the second day in a row the Pacific Highway has been closed due to bushfires.
Currently it is closed in both directions near Ravenswood Road, Kundabung (south of Kempsey).
For much of the day yesterday it was closed in both directions at Twelve Mile Creek between Meadowie Road and Tarean Road, also due to a bushfire.
A total fire ban was declared across the region on Saturday as continuing dry conditions were accompanied by high winds. It remains at ‘very high’ across the northern rivers today.
As of this morning, at least 15 fires are burning between Coffs Harbour and the Queensland border, including one at Clothiers Creek Road, which is still being controlled, a second at Smarts Rd, Wardrop Valley, in the Tweed and a third on the Old Pacific Highway at Brunswick Heads.
The RFS’s inspector Matt Inwood said that Ballina, Byron and the Tweed were the driest they had been for a long time.
‘Ballina tops off at about 165 on the drought index, which is extremely dry,’ he told ABC radio.
With the current hot weather conditions authorities are requesting that all fire restrictions are strictly adhered to and are urging the public to report any unattended fires to 000.
If anyone is seen acting suspiciously please contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or your local police station immediately. Heavy Fines apply for persons failing to comply with fire restrictions. Permits are required to light fires between 1 September and 31 March. For further information contact RFS on 0266715500.
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