BOUNTIFUL—South Davis Metro Fire is investigating two fires that started last Wednesday and Thursday at North Canyon Park as possible arson.

“The first fire was on the north end by a walking path in some scrub oak,” said Deputy Chief Dave Powers. “We found some type of a fort that looked like maybe some younger kids were hanging out but the way the fire was in multiple sites we could tell it wasn’t a fire that just got away.”

It was set in different locations, he said. “It was smaller like it might have been started with a spray can and torched with a lighter.”

The fire on Thursday was on the outside of the fence, said Powers. “It traveled and burned a lot more. That tells us someone is intentionally setting fires up there. The fuel is closer to residences to the north of the park.”

As of last week, they had no leads, Powers said. “On the initial day a gal who was walking on the trail thought she saw a group of kids that she couldn’t identify. The fires were both in the same general time frame. The first one was about 4 or 5 p.m. and the second one was about 3 or 4 p.m. We’re anticipating it’s probably kids that live in the area.”

Powers said they’re doing more patrols and asking the public to be more vigilant to watch for anything out of the ordinary. “Most of them are regulars who walk the trail up there.”

What they’re doing is pretty brazen, he said. “Our deep concern is that their desire and craving for it will grow. We definitely want to catch them early on before we get to that.”

It’s also getting into the dry season, said Powers. “What they’ve done up to this point would be disastrous. It may even get them trapped or injured.”

Please call the Bountiful Police Department dispatch at 801-298-6000 to report any suspicious activity.