THEBACHA/FORT SMITH - Residents of Fort Smith are on edge after fires were lit in a wooded area earlier this month.

Mayor Peter Martselos said there were four or five fires over a 10-day period.

The fires were set in a wooded area in the Field Street/Wilderness Street area.

"It's very dangerous," Martselos said of the fires, which were all put out before they caused any significant damage.

Most of the fires involved grass, while one fire spread to trees.

"We hope it's over," Martselos said last week, adding the danger was eased by overcast and rainy weather.

"We still continue to monitor the situation," he said.

Sgt. Grant Payne of the Fort Smith RCMP said the matter is under investigation and the police have a person of interest in the case, although no charges had been laid as of late last week.

Payne said the RCMP stepped up patrols in the area as a result of the fires.

There are residences on all four sides of the wooded area, the sergeant said. "It doesn't take much for those fires to get out of hand."

Homeowners in the area have been asked to report any suspicious activity to the RCMP.

Martselos said, along with the RCMP and the town's fire department, other agencies have joined forces to help safeguard the area, including Parks Canada and the Department of Energy and Natural Resources (ENR).

ENR has laid a water hose through the wooded area, where fire hydrants are not accessible.

A pickup truck is also standing by with water pumps.