Police will ramp up their bid to find those behind at least 14 suspicious fires lit across Victoria in the past week with a dob-in campaign.

Radio and print ads will urge the public to report any suspicious behaviour to Crime Stoppers.

Homes, animals and crops have been lost in more than 400 fires that have raged across the state since last Thursday week and police are still investigating at least 14 suspicious fires lit during the past week across the state.

Deputy Commissioner Tim Cartwright says bushfire arson can kill and injure and all suspicious fires will be rigorously investigated.

“Victoria Police will be looking into all fires that are deemed suspicious and anyone found guilty of deliberately lighting a bushfire will face serious penalties, the most severe of which can be 25 years in jail,” he said.

Earlier this week, police cautioned two children over a fire at Bendigo.

A man was also charged on Tuesday with arson, setting wildfire, intentionally engaging in conduct endangering property and recklessly engaging in conduct endangering property over a fire in Merri Creek in Melbourne’s north.