The biggest, which happened near the Oliver St bridge near Esmond Street, burned a patch of land about 20 metres in diameter which adjoined nearby properties.

The three fires all began within 15 minutes of each other, starting at about 7.30pm, but were quickly contained before they could spread to homes and livestock paddocks.

A witness, who asked not to be named, told The Courier he had seen flames up to three metres high burning alongside the popular walking path.

“From my view I could see flames rising up and I called 000. The flames were going halfway up the tree.

“It frightened the hell out of me, luckily the fire brigade turned up pretty quick and were able to put it out.”

Detective Senior Constable Andrew Cummins said police had reports of three separate fires within the space of 15 minutes.

“The Oliver Street one was the biggest,” Senior Constable Cummins said. 

“But we also had a fire near Morres Street and Humffray Street which started in a tree and east of Stawell Street.

“Any deliberately lit fire is a concern, regardless of the circumstances.

“We’ve spoken to several witnesses but we are appealing for anyone to come forward.”

Witnesses who spoke to The Courier said they saw a man and a woman acting suspiciously around the area at the time with the pair possibly heading up a nearby fire track and into the bush.

They also said with the thick scrub in the area, they feared it was only a matter of time before a fire went through the region.

Senior Constable Cummins said police did not believe the fires were linked to any others believed to have been deliberately lit around Ballarat in recent months.

Anyone with information who saw the fires or potentially saw who lit them is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.