Fire officials suspect an arsonist has been at work in Sunny Hills

This is one of seven fires in Washington County since Thanksgiving.- Contributed Photo

By: JCFloridan Staff | Jackson County Floridan
Published: January 24, 2012

State and Washington County fire officials think an arsonist has been at work for the past several months in Sunny Hills, an area located in southeast region of neighboring Washington County.

Most of the seven fires since Thanksgiving have originated on vacant lots a good distance from any homes, and several were within about 100 yards of each other.

Five of the fires were found and reported around 10 p.m. on the nights they were set. Four of the fires were about a quarter-mile from any homes. One on Dec. 15 was within an eighth of a mile, however, and one last week was about 300 yards from a home.

Of the seven, most were well under an acre in size. Quick firefighter response helped keep them confined, and so far most have been set in areas where vegetation is light.

The fires are believed to have been intentionally set, in part, because they are all some distance off the roadway, ruling out accidental causes such as a spark from vehicle undercarriages. Officials are asking the public’s help in trying to find out who is responsible if this is intentional as believed.

“If in fact it is the work of an arsonist or arsonists, this is really needlessly draining resources to suppress the fires, but fortunately, because of quick response and the locations of the fires no one has been hurt and no homes have been damaged,” said Brian Goddin, Wildfire Mitigation Specialist and Public Information Officer for the Florida Forest Service. “We need to try to find out what’s going on and put this to rest before that happens.”

There are almost 1,100 homes in the 43-square mile area of Sunny Hills. Four of the fires were located off Oasis Road, with others on Jena Place, Little River Road and an area near State Road 77 and off Shenandoah Boulevard near Vance Road.

Anyone with information about the possible causes of these fires is asked to call 911. A cash reward of up to $1,000 is also being offered through Washington County Crime Stoppers for information leading to the arrest of the responsible party. That number is 638-8477.

The Florida Forest Service protects more than 26 million acres of Florida’s natural resources, homes and business from wildfire. The agency can be reached at 547-7083. The Chipola Forestry Center of the Florida Forest Service consists of seven communities including Bay, Walton, Gulf, Holmes, Calhoun, Washington and Jackson counties.