The Australian Institute of Criminology reckon up to 50% of bushfires are started deliberately, sometimes not maliciously just private burns that went wrong but grass fires are often started by kids with matches or a smoker throwing a cigarette away without checking that it is out.



On the news this evening they are not sure whether this one was started deliberately but the police have taken statements and doubtless will pursue those that started it if it was deliberate. A surprising number of people are eventually caught - penalties are very severe.