A number of fires which have severely impacted sugarcane crops in the Lower Clarence during the past week are being treated as suspicious.

Around 11:45pm on August 25, emergency services were called to three properties along Serpentine Channel South Bank Road, Bewleys Lane, and Beckmans Lane in Harwood, following reports of fires in sugarcane crops.

Upon arrival, NSW Rural Fire Service (RFS) personnel, and Fire and Rescue NSW (FRNSW) crews found the fires had been extinguished by residents.

Officers attached to the Coffs/Clarence Police District also attended the properties and canvassed the area, however, no person/s of interest were located.

Spokesperson for Sunshine Sugar Vivien Miller said while the 2023 sugarcane harvest season is currently underway in the Clarence Valley, and local growers are well equipped to control fires on their properties, she believes it’s only a matter of time before the reckless actions demonstrated by the culprit/s results in property destruction, or worse, loss of life.

“We’re very concerned by this dangerous behaviour,” she stated.

“What we’re most upset about is conditions have been very dry recently, and a lot of the properties which have been targeted also have houses on them, placing them and the people who live there in danger.

“Luckily, farmers nearby saw the uncontrolled fires and alerted their neighbours.

“It’s only a stroke of luck no one was hurt, and no homes have been destroyed.”

Ms Miller said half a dozen different paddocks on numerous properties have been targeted and set alight, with the culprit/s accessing locations via main roads and haul out roads.

While some losses have occurred in small sections of the two-year-old sugarcane crops as a result of the fires, Ms Miller said one crop which was completely burned in a targeted attack was still able to be successfully harvested.

“It’s a very low act,” Ms Miller said.

“There is still a lot of work being done to get farms producing again after the region was impacted by flooding.

“These actions are completely reckless, and they’re putting lives and livelihoods at risk.”

The culprit/s have also caused chaos by opening the rear hatches on a number of fully loaded cane bins, each holding more than 20 tonnes of cane billets.

As inquiries into the incidents continue, anyone with information is being urged to contact Grafton Police on 6642 0222, or Crimestoppers on 1800 333 000.

This article appeared in the Clarence Valley Independent, 6 September 2023.