WSMV Channel 4 Officials suspect arson in series of TN wildfires

Officials suspect arson in series of TN wildfires

Eight wildfires tore through 140 acres, across six Middle Tennessee counties, this weekend. And authorities don't think any of those fires were an accident.

There are now eight arson investigations under way.

Crews worked non-stop in Perry County this weekend, knocking down a wildfire along Buckfort Road.

Gerald Eaton, with the Tennessee Forestry Division, said that particular fire that burned 250 acres began when a campfire got out of control.

"It was an unusually heavy weekend for us, don't know why," Eaton said.

But another fire in Perry County and seven others across Middle Tennessee could be arson.

"You might have four- or five-quarter acre of fires in a row in a mile or a mile and a half, and it's pretty obvious that it's somebody driving along and setting fire," Eaton said.

There were two wildfires along Hurricane Creek Landing Road in Houston County that scorched some 80 acres.

Eaton said during October through May, conditions are ripe for burning.

"High winds, low humidity, combination of the two. So these were all three red flag days. So if you wanted to set a fire, it would have been a great weekend to do it," he said.

But officials will be keeping a close eye on what happens this upcoming weekend.

"I just want to make sure that this is not the beginning of something that is going to be a problem to us," Eaton said. "I'd like to think that this is a one-time occurrence and it's not going to repeat itself. But only time will tell."

And during this seven-month period where fire officials say it's easy to start a fire, they want to remind you that you must get a burn permit. If you plan to burn any kind of debris or trash in your yard, you need a burn permit.

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