Mr Hope’s comments came as Crime Stoppers launched its bushfire and arson program for the summer season at the Ballarat fire station on Friday, urging residents to be mindful of suspicious activity.

Ballarat's police Superintendent Andrew Allen confirmed investigations were progressing well into fires that blazed west of Ballarat this week and last week along Cuthberts Road, both deemed to be suspicious.

“We’ve got a number of avenues of enquiry. I understand the concern of local residents in and around the Lucas area and we’re certainly putting a lot of resources into those investigations,” he said.

Superintendent Allen said police were investigating whether the two incidents were caused by the same arsonist.

He reminded the community that deliberately-lit fires could attract a 25-year jail sentence. He said authorities had a “zero tolerance attitude” towards arson and reckless fire.

Mr Hope said it was frustrating and disappointing to see deliberately-lit fires a problem again this season.

“The police are doing a great job in trying to track down these people and they will be caught and they will be dealt with severely,” he said.

“Obviously people are agitated and concerned but I can assure them we will be quick to respond and quick to extinguish any fires that this person lights. We’re well aware of the situation and we will be on top of that straight away.”

Mr Hope said deliberately-lit fires were particularly problematic when multiple fires were blazing within the district, diverting resources away form other incidents.

Crime Stoppers Victoria community manager Peter Brown said across the country, at least 50 per cent of bushfires were recklessly or deliberately-lit.

Anyone with information relating to arson is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000, or to ring police on 000 if they witnessed suspicious activity.