The RCMP and fire officials are concerned about at least 10 fires in the Mayo area that appear to have been caused by someone playing with matches.
Five fires were lit in the vicinity of the bridge in Mayo on July 31 alone.
“It is a great concern,” said Dave Trudeau with Wildland Fire Management. “These fires have all been very close to people’s homes, with (one) being just 300 metres from a subdivision.”
Flyers have been posted in town to alert the public to be aware of any suspicious activity.
“We are definitely asking around, but when you’ve got nothing to work on…” said Dennis Plamondon with the Mayo RCMP.
An unrelated fire in the Mayo district this week was caused by a smouldering sawdust pile at a fish camp.
Officials would like to remind the public to use an existing fire pit or make a ring of rocks and fully extinguish fires until they are cool to the touch.
All wildfires should immediately be reported to 1-888-798-FIRE (3473).
This year’s fire season is of above-average severity, with 115 fires in the territory to date and 80,238 hectares burned.
(Jacqueline Ronson)