Australian police said today they were setting up a task force to hunt for arsonists they believe may have lit some of the more than 100 bushfires which have swept New South Wales since Christmas Day.
Fire chiefs said up to 40 of the fires could not be explained and may have been lit deliberately.
Acting New South Wales Premier Mr Andrew Refshauge told a news conference that people found to have deliberately started fires would feel the full force of the law.
"We see arson as an atrocious thing", he said.
"Someone who is lighting a fire is putting not only property at risk but is putting lives at risk, home owners' lives at risk and fire officers' lives at risk. "That is something that is not tolerated and we will investigate any allegation and seek to prosecute them and seek to have the full force of law bought against them. Police Senior Deputy Commissioner Mr Ken Moroney said the investigation would include forensic scientists and psychological experts from criminal investigation departments.
More than 150 properties have been destroyed over the past three days as high summer temperatures and strong westerly winds fanned bushfires, some of which were started by lightning two weeks ago.
Hundreds of people were dragged from Christmas festivities and evacuated as flames threatened to engulf homes.
The bulk of the fires are to the west and south of Sydney. Some major blazes have also taken hold in the Blue Mountains national park area about 50 km (31 miles) west of the city centre.
Police said there had yet to be any confirmed reports of looting but a number of empty residences in the Helensburgh district, 20 km (12 miles) south of Sydney, appeared to have been broken into and property stolen after families fled from fires.