The fire, which was reported at 1:18pm on Sunday, had burnt 1650 hectares at the time Farm Weekly went to print on Tuesday and had forced the closure of roads and threatened residences in Wannamal as firefighters worked to contain the blaze.

Detective Sergeant Chris De Bruin from the Arson Squad confirmed that the fire was deliberately lit.

"We are investigating this fire," he said

"The cause is arson-related and this fire is one of a number of deliberately ignited bushfires in the same area.

"15 separate fires have been identified in a series which commenced on 20 January but as yet no charges have been laid."

FESA public information officer Les Hayter, who was in Chittering during the fire, said he had heard some mention of a possibility of arson.

"Locals seemed to think there was some suspicious circumstances involved and there certainly was an arson squad present at the fire ground on Monday," Mr Hayter said

"Fortunately all the properties and homes in the area were saved.

"As far as I know there was no structural damage at all, and from reports coming back there seems to be no loss of stock in the area either."

The fire which burnt through extremely difficult and rugged terrain caused fire emergency services to attack the blaze from above until ground crews were able to attend.

Through a combination of air and ground attacks and the use of mineral earth breaks, by 9am on Monday morning fire fighters had roughly 85 per cent of the fire under control.

"We were concerned with the strong winds that the ember attack could get out of the controlled area and into the unburnt areas, and head in a westerly direction towards the coast," Mr Hayter said.

"We estimated we saved 30 homes in the Wannamal area on Sunday afternoon and a further five or six in the south west corner closer to Bindoon."

Mr Hayter commended efforts of firefighters as well as local farmers in helping extinguish the blaze saying they certainly made a difference in controlling the fire.