11 fires were deliberately set in those woods since June 11th. Five occurred over the holiday weekend and 1 more happened Tuesday night.
So far, the local fire department has managed to contain them and prevent a spread to the local housing, but neighbors are on edge.
"We're here temporarily because our house in Evesham burned down from a fire in October, so to learn there's fires in my backyard where I'm temporarily staying is very disturbing to me," Evesham resident Kathy Wilkinson said.
The blaring sirens of fire trucks have been disturbing the peace. The fires have been set after midnight and in early evening daylight hours. Police believe the firebug lives in the area and knows these woods well.
"These fires are intentionally set…someone's holding a flame or a source of heat to combustible material that's found at the scene, dry leaves, pine needles, twigs, things of that nature," Evesham Police Captain Frank Lacantore said.
A pyromaniac in a neighborhood like this is even more dangerous than normal. With this excessively dry season, even a small blaze could spread quickly and trigger a major catastrophe threatening lives and property.
State forest fire officials are especially worried about the Pinelands area. They are concerned about the lack of rain and 100-degree temperatures. The bone dry conditions are offsetting water reserves created by the wet winter and early spring and now an arsonist.
Anyone with information that could lead to an arrest in these arson cases should call Evesham Police at 856-983-4699.
