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OGDEN -- Investigators are searching for the person who intentionally set a string of fires along the Ogden River. Because they burned within a short time of each other, firefighters think they were the work of an arsonist.
Crews say they have been busy battling 10 wildfires in the last 10 days. Firefighters put out five brush fires Tuesday along the Ogden River Parkway between Harrison Boulevard and Washington Boulevard. One burned up the hillside, creeping to the edge of the city cemetery.
Ogden Fire Marshal Matthew Schwenk said those five fires burned within a half hour of each other. From the looks of it, it appears to be the work of single person.
"Too weird that you have several fires happening within a half hour," he said. "I don't believe several people would be involved. As we're responding, there's another fire happening."
All units in Ogden City were tied up fighting the fires. Some places along the river are hard to get to and don't see a lot of traffic -- mostly bicyclists and walkers. There were hikers on the trail Tuesday when these five fires started.
"In our situations yesterday, there was a lot of people on the trails; and luckily the fires didn't spread to where we trapped anyone," said Schwenk.
Schwenk says they have reports of someone leaving the area shortly after the fire started. He says separate witnesses have given police two matching descriptions of a suspect. Police are asking people to report anything suspicious along the trail.
Firefighters did not see any evidence of fireworks or accelerants, but with the dry conditions fires can start quickly with just a lighter or a couple of matches.
"For so long now it's hot and dry and everything's drying out," Schwenk said. "We have a lot of dry vegetation and undergrowth so it doesn't take much to get it going."
Crews are checking into a few other fires, one near the old county landfill and another near Fort Buenaventura. They don't know the cause of those fires, but don't think they are connected to the fires along the river.
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Story compiled with contributions from Anne Forester and Sheryl Worsley.
