Rural Fire Service Chief Phil Koperberg said he feared the problem of arsonists had already reached epidemic proportions. NSW faced a greater risk of major fires than in 1994, when four died in Sydney and thousands were left homeless.
Arsonists are now such a major headache that police have enlisted an expert on criminal profiles.
He is working to help identify those most likely to be involved. Yesterday the number of fires rose from 50 to 80 despite an intensive battle. Mr Koperberg warned this year had been so dry that waterside suburbs, normally considered safe, were at serious risk. Fortunately for everybody, technology is better, knowledge and training is better and equipment is better. We should be having this sort of fire activity in late November or December, if at all.