The Beltrami County Sheriff’s Office is looking for witnesses in the Eckles Township area as authorities suspect foul play in the wildfire yesterday.
Deputies, the DNR, and Bemidji Fire responded to the scene on a report of a fire on both sides of Radar Rd., within the forests on the south side of the road.
The fire quickly spread southward, fueled by the extremely dry conditions which led to the voluntary evacuation notice to a residential area south of Jackpine Rd.
The wildfire threatened lives, homes, farms and cropland.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation by the DNR, Sheriff’s Office, and the state Fire Marshal, and at this time the cause is suspicious.
Anyone with information on suspicious people or vehicles in the area around 3 p.m. Tuesday, July 13, should contact the Sheriff’s Office at (218)333-9111.
Radar Rd., between Cardinal and Eckles Rds., remains closed while clean up and the investigation continues.
