WRECK Bay is closed with access only to residents and emergency service personnel as a fire, believed to have been deliberately lit in bushland burns south of the village.
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Rural Fire Service crews were called to bushland off Boorala Road near Summercloud Bay around 5am Thursday, where multiple fires had broken out.
RFS spokesperson James Morris said a number of crews were at the location trying to contain the blaze which so far had burnt out about five hectares of bushland.
“Crews are conducting back burning operations and at this stage there is no direct threat to property, however if winds pick up there may be some properties in the village, south of Jervis Bay, which could be threatened,” he said.
“At this stage Wreck Bay Road and village is closed, with access only allowed to residents and emergency services.
”The RFS continues to monitor the fire and will advise residents in Wreck Bay if there is any changes.”
He said forecasted westerly winds of up to to 45km/hour could have the potential to increase fires in the area.
Six trucks from St Georges Basin, Huskisson, Wreck Bay and Crossroads are at the scene, while further assistance has been requested, with crews from Callala Bay, Falls Creek, Tomerong and West Nowra.
Mr Morris said the fire had multiple ignition points and investigations would be undertaken to determine its origin.
“At this stage the cause of the fire is being treated as suspicious,” Mr Morris said.
“Australian Federal Police and fire investigators will attend the scene to determine the cause.”
It is the second time this week crews have been called to a suspicious fire in the area.
On Tuesday at 5am crews were called to the same area off Boorala Road near Summercloud Bay where a fire had broken out.
That blaze destroyed 11 hectares of bush before being brought under control.
“That fire is also being treated as suspicious and is under investigation,” Mr Morris said.
“Thursday’s fire is very similar to the incident earlier in the week - we had multiple ignition points.”
Investigations are also underway into a fire which broke out at 6am on Thursday around the Twelve Mile Road area, south west of Sussex Inlet.
“Crews from Manyana, Conjola and Sussex Inlet arrived at the location to find multiple ignition points,” Mr Morris said.
“Investigations are also underway to the cause of that fire.”
A hectare of bushland was burnt out before the fire was brought under control, with crews from the National Parks and Wildlife Service still at the location “mopping up and blackening out” the area.