Smoke shrouded much of Berkeley and neighbouring Lake Heights - south of the small fires - late afternoon, although a lack of wind ensured its spread was minimal and crews were able to contain it quickly. 

Firefighters from Wollongong, Warrawong, Shellharbour and Thirroul responded to the fires, which burned in scrub south of Lackawanna Street, about 4.20pm.

Fire and Rescue NSW Illawarra duty commander Inspector John Hawes said the fires were in a ‘‘fairly remote’’ area, making access difficult, even for the brigade’s 4WD vehicles. 

‘‘We’ve come in around the side of the sporting field there to gain access,’’ Inspector Hawes said.

At 5.15pm, crews had extinguished one fire and were working to extinguish the other, which was about 60 square metres wide.

‘‘There’s no property in danger and it’s just a small scrub fire,’’ he said.

‘‘The fire’s not going anywhere, it’s well and truly contained and we estimate to have it out within about the next 20 minutes, half an hour.’’

Inspector Hawes said the fire were believed to have been deliberately lit.