HAYDEN - Someone is starting small ground fires not far from residences along the northeast border of Dalton Gardens near Hayden.

Since Saturday, firefighters from Northern Lakes Fire District and Kootenai County Fire and Rescue have responded to eight human-caused fires within a quarter-mile radius of the intersection of 15th Street and Woodland Drive.

Northern Lakes Fire Inspector Tyler Drechsel told The Press that four small fires were extinguished by agencies over the course of five hours on Monday evening.

"That was enough to take things to the next level for us," Drechsel said. "We have a possible firebug on our hands and it's time to get together."

None of the fires, which have occurred alongside roadways, have exceeded an area of 100 square feet, Drechsel said. All the fires have occurred between 4 and 9:30 p.m.

While investigators have not been able to determine exactly how the fires started, Drechsel said it is clear they were not started by accident.

"We definitely think there is some intent because you don't get that many in the same area otherwise," said Northern Lakes spokesman Jim Lyon.

If history is any indicator, children are responsible for the rash of fires, he added.

On Tuesday afternoon, representatives from Northern Lakes, Kootenai County Fire and Rescue and the Coeur d'Alene Fire Department canvassed the neighborhoods where the fires have been set. They hung up signs informing the public that cases of arson have happened in the area, and spoke with individuals who live in the community.

"We're asking them to be watchdogs," Drechsel said. "We're hoping the property owners will keep their eyes open and help us."

Megan Gray has lived in the area for five years and spent time talking with the department representatives on Tuesday afternoon. She told The Press that it's a close-knit community that stays in communication, and that a neighbor informed her of the string of fires.

"I'll be keeping an eye out," Gray said. "With as dry as it is, and the high temperatures we've been having, it could be a big deal."

Although the suspected arsonist has not crossed into Coeur d'Alene Fire Department territory, Fire Inspector Craig Etherton joined the other agencies in canvassing neighborhoods. He said firebugs have a tendency of changing locations, so it's important for agencies to work together to put a halt to the activity.

"Sometimes our presence is enough to make it stop," he added. "Obviously we want to catch whoever is responsible for this. But if we can get them to stop by being out here, that's a good thing too."

Anyone with information on the person or persons responsible for the fires is encouraged to call (208) 777-8500 or (208) 659-2716. If there is an actual fire or fire-related emergency, call 911.