A SUSPICIOUS fire that came dangerously close to a paddock of grassy fuel in Gungahlin this week has police and firefighters on the lookout for arsonists.

On Monday a fire near the Uniting Church on The Valley Avenue came 10 metres from a paddock with metre-high grass, which firefighters said would quickly have become difficult to control had it caught alight.

Firefighters say this is potentially the worst year for grass fires in and around Canberra  that firefighters have seen for a number of years.

Acting Superintendent Chris Meagher of ACT Policing Intelligence says police will work closely with firefighters to determine “hot spots” based on recent fire and arson related incidents.

“Traditionally in the ACT, we see an increase in suspicious grassland and bushland fires from December through to March. As such and due to the potential risk for grass fires being high this season, we are patrolling all open vegetation areas in the ACT, to deter and detect any suspicious activity or anti-social behaviour,” he says.

“Members of the community are often the first to notice suspicious behaviour or activity in their neighbourhood, so we need their help to monitor open areas such as parks or grasslands across the ACT.

“Anyone who sees any suspicious behaviour or activity in grassland areas is urged to contact ACT Policing Operations immediately on 131-444.”

Anyone who witnessed the grass fire on Monday in Gungahlin and is yet to speak to police should contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or via the website act.crimestoppers.com.au.