Police are appealing for information about a string of deliberately lit spot fires in the Shoalhaven over the past two weeks.
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Between 4.15pm and 8pm Saturday, August 17 six spot fires were reported to emergency services in Culburra Beach and Orient Point.
Further fires were also reported at Berry, Yalwal, Sanctuary Point and Currarong. Some of these were during strong wind conditions.
Police Inspector Raymond Stynes said emergency services were working together to find out the cause of the fires and to get the culprit, or culprits, off the streets.
"It's in preliminary stages seeing they're only a week or two old, but our criminal investigators are working hard on tracking information down," Mr Stynes said.
"The distance between the scenes can lead us to think that they aren't linked but there are others closer together that would suggest that maybe they are.
"Not too many [people have come forward with information] that's why we're making the appeal, so anyone that's got any information can always give us a ring."
The Rural Fire Service said it was investigating each fire separately but was certain it was arson.
"Definitely arson and each fire is being investigated by RFS investigators and each one will be done on its merits," Superintendent Mark Williams said.
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"We're certainly keeping options open that it could be more than one person."
Superintendent Williams said he could not understand why someone would deliberately light fires.
"I personally don't know, I think it's a rather selfish act," he said.
"I really don't understand why someone would do that, not only to vegetation around but also the risk to the community that it causes."
The spot fires were between half a hectare to five hectares in size and were extinguished with no damage to property.
The crimes have coincided with the NSW Government's introduction of an amendment to increase the standard non-parole period for convicted arsonists from five years to nine years.
South Coast MP Shelley Hancock said the amendment would make sure those who commit bushfire offences would be in prison for longer.
"With another hot and dry summer around the corner, it's important there are strong laws in place to protect farmers and communities who are already battling drought," she said.
"My message to would-be firebugs is to stop and think about the children and families who could be killed or injured and the huge economic and emotional toll of being homeless and having to rebuild homes and farms from scratch."
Police are now appealing for anyone with information about the incidents or who have noticed any suspicious activity to contact Nowra Police or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Police are particularly interested in anyone who may have CCTV or dashcam vision.