(KNSI) – Investigators ask for the public’s help catching an arsonist who’s setting grass fires in Benton County.
The sheriff’s office says firefighters have responded to seven fires burning in road ditches since March 29.
The frequency of the fires and evidence found at the scenes led investigators to believe some or all of the fires were intentionally set.
Anyone with information about the fires or the suspect(s) is asked to contact the Benton County Sheriff’s Office at (320) 968-7201 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at (800) 255-1301, or online.
The fires that are under investigation include:
• March 29 at about 11:30 AM, a grass fire was reported in the 2000-block of 55th St NE in Minden Township
• March 30 at about 9:25 AM, a grass fire was reported in the 4700-block of 25th Ave NE in Minden Township
• March 31 at about 9:15 AM, a grass fire was reported near the intersection of 5th Ave NE and 75th St NE in Watab Township
• March 31 at about 11:45 AM, a grass fire was reported on 185th Ave NE near the intersection with Hwy 23 in Maywood Township
• March 31 at about 1:00 PM, a grass fire was reported near the intersection of 180th Ave NE and Hwy 23 in Maywood Township
• April 1 at about 10:35 AM, a grass fire was reported near the intersection of 55th Ave NE and 65th St NE in Mayhew Lake Township
• April 1 at about 10:50 AM, a grass fire was reported near the intersection of 115th St NE and Mayhew Lake Rd NE in Mayhew Lake Township
The Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Foley Fire Department, Sauk Rapids Fire Department, and DNR fire crews have responded to the various fires.