POLICE are hunting arsonists after a suspicious fire ripped through bushland within striking distance of homes near Smythesdale yesterday.The Department of Sustainability and the Country Fire Authority joined forces to combat the blaze, which destroyed several hectares of bushland three kilometres from the Smythesdale township yesterday afternoon.The DSE believe the fire was lit in the state forest about midday as gusty conditions belied the day’s cool weather to present challenges for fire crews.DSE acting manager for the Midlands District Steve Nicholson said crews were investigating what started the fire, but could find no common causes.“There was no machinery or lightning in the area, so it does appear to be (deliberately lit),” he said.Moorabool Criminal Investigation Unit Detective Sergeant Tony Coxall said police attended the scene yesterday and confirmed the suspicions of fire investigators.“It is suspicious, (but) there was nothing of any evidential value found at the scene,” he said.“We’re appealing for anyone with information on the fire to come forward.”The fire has sparked reminders among locals of a spate of suspicious fires in the region in past years, believed to be the work of a firebug.Detective Sergeant Coxall said while yesterday’s fire was suspicious, there was nothing to link it to previous blazes.“A couple of years ago, we did have a series of three or four uncontrolled grass and bushfires in the region which were suspicious,” he said. “If anything like that happens again, we will certainly be investigating (any link).”Mr Nicholson said six tankers and a slip-on unit for the CFA were joined by a bulldozer, tanker and slip-on unit from the DSE.Crews took just over two hours to bring the 2.6 hectare blaze under control and no infrastructure was damaged.“All fires start small, but units were there very quickly to stop this one spreading,” he said.“It would have spread north-west because of the wind – towards Hillcrest.”The CFA issued advice for residents of Hillcrest, Linton, Smythesdale, Snake Valley, Scarsdale and Newtown, with smoke visible from nearby communities and roads.For the latest fire advice and warnings, visit cfa.vic.gov.au or call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.