Arson suspected in Ogden hillside fires

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Ogden firefighters suspect they have an arsonist on their hands.

The department received a call about 8:25 p.m. Friday concerning eight small fires near Ogden City Cemetery, at 1875 Monroe Blvd. Firefighters arrived to find the small brush fires burning in the heavy vegetation that grows on the hillside northwest of the graveyard, said Deputy Fire Chief Eric Bauman.

"Fortunately, no homes were threatened. It's just a real densely vegetated area that's tough to get into," Bauman said. They extinguished the flames quickly, though not before the blaze burned about two acres, Bauman added.

Investigators suspect someone set the fires, since there was no lightning in the area last night, or any other natural explanations for the fires, Bauman said.

He encourages anyone who sees suspicious activity to call the Weber Area Consolidated Dispatch at 801-629-8221.

mmcfall@sltrib.com

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