KELLOGG – An unknown arsonist is suspected of starting several fires across eastern Kellogg Monday night.

Now collectively known as the “Morning Star fires,” Idaho Department of Lands Fire Warden Kjell Truesdell reports 13 different fires were found and suppressed by crews from IDL and Shoshone County Fire District No. 2.

The first fire, near the Division Street Bridge, was reported at 7:33 p.m. Monday and Kellogg Police Sgt. Paul Twidt was first on scene.

Crews from SCFD No. 2 arrived not long after and controlled the blaze before it got out of hand, but that was just the beginning of their night.

“We had just finished on the one on Division Street when (dispatch) told us about the two by Kellogg moving and storage,” SCFD No. 2 Chief Mark Aamodt said. “Then we were spotting them from there and chasing them down.”

Suspecting a pattern of arson, Sgt. Twidt quickly drove to Elizabeth Park in an attempt to cut off the perpetrator. After a brief wait and no sign of fires, he then drove back.

“I come back, grab a shovel and put out the closest one (the fourth fire on the trail) because the guys and the Chief were working on the others,” Twidt explained. “When we were doing that, a guy says ‘Hey there’s fires up here on this back road!”

Chief Aamodt and Twidt then drove down Ross Ranch Road and discovered another small fire on the shoulder.

After quickly putting it out, the duo then saw flames creeping over the southern hillside. They then rushed up to Alhambra Avenue and found several starts, including three large fires, burning on the Morning Star bike trail.

The three larger fires would converge to create one big fire that burned just east of the Kellogg Cemetery and north of Alhambra.

IDL crews stayed on scene throughout the night and ensured that 100 percent containment was obtained by this morning.

Truesdell couldn’t give exact sizes of the affected areas, but the largest fire is estimated to be around 1 acre. No injuries or structure damage resulted from the fires.

IDL fire investigators arrived this morning to investigate.

KPD does not have a description of the suspected arsonist, but believes he or she was on foot.

If you have any information regarding the identity of the suspect, contact the Shoshone County Sheriff’s Office at 208-556-1114, Idaho Department of Lands- Cataldo at 208-682-4611, or Shoshone County Fire District No.2 at 208-784-1188.