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There have been 15 reports since Friday

POLK COUNTY—Polk County emergency crews have been responding to a rash of roadside fires since Friday. 

Polk County Emergency Management Director and Fire Marshal Bobby Arledge said there have been 15 reports of small roadside fires in the last few days, which have been widespread. 

“Somebody is setting roadside fires all over the county and we are trying to figure out who is doing it,” Arledge said Monday morning. 

The fires have all been small, Arledge said, and thankfully the wet conditions have helped them to not spread so far. 

“They’ve all been fairly small, but there’s been a couple that had high potential,” Arledge said. 

Fires have been set along Interstate 26, U.S. 74 near Pea Ridge, Sandy Plains Road, Skyuka Mountain Road, Tony Road, Forest Glen and Old 19. 

Arledge said the fires have been set between the afternoon and night, between 3 and 7 p.m. 

The Polk County Sheriff’s Office sent out the following release regarding the fires: 

Polk County Fire Departments have responded to multiple small roadside fires in the past two days. These fires have been located on roadsides throughout Polk County and it is believed that they were intentionally set. At this time our investigators are working with the Polk County Fire Marshal’s Office and the N.C. Forest Service on apprehending the individuals responsible. In the meantime we need everyone to keep an eye out for any suspicious vehicles or individuals.

If you see any suspicious vehicle sitting on the side of the road or doing anything else that raises a concern please call the Polk County Communications Center at (828)-894-0187 or if you think the situation is an emergency always call 911.