Two teenage boys believed to be from Winmalee High School have been cautioned by police following a fire at Winmalee on August 16.
The duo received a caution under the Young Offenders Act. Witnesses stopped the 14 year olds as they were allegedly leaving the area of the fire. The boys were arrested by police, said Blue Mountains Police Detective Inspector Scott McAlpine.
About 3.40pm on August 16, police were alerted to the fire on the western ridgeline of Summerhayes Park in Winmalee. The fire burned an area of about 130 metres by 50 metres.
Significant resources from the RFS and NSW Fire and Rescue were required to combat the blaze, Det Insp McAlpine said. He said the teens received an official caution for intentionally causing fire and being reckless to its spread.
Winmalee High posted on its official Facebook page "Please be assured that Winmalee High School is extremely disappointed to find our students have been actively involved in the lighting of fires on Friday afternoon. Be assured we take this very seriously and will take appropriate action."
Police inquiries continue, in relation to others allegedly involved in the incident. Police are appealing for any person who witnessed the fire or has any further information to contact Crime Stoppers or Springwood Police Station.
Trespass
Three teenagers have been charged after trespassing in the rail corridor at Valley Heights at 11.40pm on August 7. A Bullaburra man, 19, and a Katoomba man and woman, both 18, were charged with going on to running lines, intentionally marking premises without consent and possessing a graffiti implement.
Fire at Bell
A man has been charged with intentionally causing a fire at Bell. In the early hours of August 14, the 25-year-old from Bell lit a fire in private unfenced grassland near Chifley Road, Bell. He attempted to extinguish the fire and then left the area, police said. About 4pm, emergency services were called to a fire at the same location, and extinguished it. An area about 30 metres by 30 metres was burnt. The man will appear at Katoomba Local Court on September 2.
Air training
The United States Air Force personnel will be conducting training missions across the Mountains and beyond, alongside Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) counterparts until September 8.
Flying activity will be similar to the training regularly conducted by RAAF Hercules crews, and will entail low-level and formation flying, airdrop of cargo and paratroops, and flying to semi-prepared airfields.
