In the worst of the fires, on Thursday, March 14, a house was badly damaged and about 2ha of kanuka in the Department of Conservation's Hikuwai conservation area in Gunn Rd was burnt.
Wanaka sub-area commander Senior Sergeant Allan Grindell told the Otago Daily Times yesterday the first of the three fires, the day before the Hikuwai fire, occurred on vacant land in Jack Young Pl, Albert Town, next to State Highway 6.
Three boys were seen playing in the area and smoke was also seen.
The fire brigade was not called, but a patch of burnt grass was found later along with a matchbox.
Senior Sergeant Grindell said young people were seen in the Hikuwai area before the fire there but police had ''no real suspects''.
Late the following night, a grass fire broke out in Frye Cres, Albert Town.
''If you have got three fires in three days and you haven't had any for a while, I think it's more than just coincidence, particularly with those three young people seen on [March 13],'' Snr Sgt Grindell said.
''I suspect there is a link between them. I can't confirm that. I suspect mainly because of the time frame and the location. They are reasonably close.''
Police had talked to several young people but ''at this point we have no firm suspects'', Snr Sgt Grindell said.
A Doc spokeswoman said yesterday the department was planning to ''clean up'' the conservation area in May.
