HAYDEN — Following a rash of fires Monday, locals were left in limbo wondering what caused them. Rumors of arson circulated on social media. Others reported seeing a plane malfunction at the Coeur d’Alene Airport prior to the blazes.

The U.S. Forest Service took jurisdiction over an investigation into the cause of the fires. USFS spokesperson Shoshana Cooper said Monday she had not heard of any connection to arson. However, representatives of the federal agency would not comment on the allegation that the fires had started from a plane mishap, despite numerous reports from witnesses that day.

From Monday night through late Wednesday, local officials had kept tight-lipped out of deference to the U.S. Forest Service’s role as the lead agency in the investigation.

On Wednesday afternoon, however, Northern Lakes Fire District Chief Pat Riley authorized a press release to quell growing fears among the public.

“After witness statements, locations of fires and time frame, the cause of up to eight fires in the Rathdrum and Hayden areas was likely caused by an aircraft that had been contracted by the U.S. Forest Service to assist in fire suppression,” said Northern Lakes Fire spokesman Jim Lyon.

Cooper said Monday the Forest Service had multiple aircraft operating out of the airport in support of firefighting efforts in the Idaho Panhandle National Forests, Montana and Washington. Lyon elaborated Wednesday.

“Witness reports indicate that a large jet aircraft had mechanical problems on takeoff and was able to make an immediate circle route to return to base safely,” he said. “In so doing, it appears the plane was discharging some sort of material as a result of the mechanical problem, starting several fires throughout the area, approximately a 5-mile radius of the airport.”

“At no time was there indication that any of these fires were intentionally set,” Lyon added.

Thanks to multiple fire agencies across the county, including from Idaho Department of Lands and the Forest Service, all the fires were contained on Monday and subsequently downgraded to patrol status by Tuesday.