The man returned with buckets of water to extinguish the fire which thankfully didn’t spread.

Around 4.45pm, Police on Yawalpah Rd noticeed smoke coming from the western side of the M1.

They discovered a small fire burning in bushland just off Rifle Range Rd, south of Bull Rd.

Firefighters from the Ormeau Rural Fire Brigade were also made aware of the fire and were on scene quickly to put it out.

Following investigations, Police located three boys aged 9, 10 and 11

The two older boys will now be dealt with under the Youth Justice Act.

EARLIER – Sunday, September 8 @ 5.45PM:

Police are searching for arsonists responsible for lighting two fires on the northern Gold Coast

while emergency services were stretched battling the blazes in the Hinterland.

A small fire was spotted by a member of the public driving past bushland off Rifle Range Rd

at Pimpama around 3.30pm on Saturday afternoon.

The man returned with buckets of water to extinguish the fire which thankfully didn’t spread.

Around 4.45pm, Police on Yawalpah Rd noticeed smoke coming from the western side of the M1.

They discovered a small fire burning in bushland just off Rifle Range Rd, south of Bull Rd.

Firefighters from the Ormeau Rural Fire Brigade were also made aware

of the fire and were on scene quickly to put it out.

Police are now appealing for anyone who saw anybody acting suspiciously in the area on Saturday afternoon.

They’ve slammed their actions, especially given the conditions currently being experienced across the region.

“Not only could this fire have had devastating consequences for the local community

and wildlife it diverted first responders from frontline duties,” Police said in a statement.

“Arsonists who deliberately set fire to property are criminals and police will be relentless in investigating suspicious fires.

Under the Criminal Code, a person found guilty of arson may be liable to a maximum sentence of life imprisonment.

If someone is found guilty of unlawfully setting fire to a crop or endangering property by setting fire to something

they may be liable to a maximum sentence of 14 years imprisonment.”