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PUBLIC SAFETY Agencies investigate string of Greenway fires Comment By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Jul. 23, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Jul 23, 2016 at 11:10 AM By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Jul. 23, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Jul 23, 2016 at 11:10 AM » Social News Medford police and two Rogue Valley fire agencies are trying to track down the cuplrit they believe set a recent string of fires on or near the Bear Creek Greenway. Since July 14, seven fires have been reported on the popular walking and biking thoroughfare, with two other blazes at a homeless camp about a mile away. “We have Greenway fires on a pretty regular basis, but it pretty much came to a head last week,” said Ralph Sartain, Medford Fire-Rescue deputy fire marshal. Sartain said he has seen evidence to show the same person has set the fires, but he declined to elaborate on details because the investigation is still open. Medford Fire-Rescue officials said the fires in their coverage area were set intentionally, while Jackson County Fire District No. 3 officials said the ones they have responded to have been "suspicious," but weren't necessarily lit on purpose. "Are they suspicious? Yes," said Fire District No. 3 Deputy Fire Marshal Mark Northrop. "(But) we have a lot of interviews to do yet." The fires started with four reported July 14. The first, at 5:50 p.m. in the stretch behind the 2600 block of Biddle Road, burned a quarter-acre. Less than two hours later, at 7:29 p.m., a fire burned 3 acres near the Greenway's milepost 24, which is located near Table Rock Road. Additional fires that day occurred at 8:09 p.m. — on a section behind 1900 North Riverside Drive — and 8:36 p.m. — also near milepost 24. The latter two fires were small, burning one-fifth and one-hundredth of an acre, respectively. On July 15, two fires were reported, one at 7:37 p.m. that burned an acre — again on a section behind the 2600 block of Biddle Road — the second at 8:22 p.m., which grew to a quarter-acre at a homeless camp near the intersection of Skypark Drive and American Way, about a mile from the Greenway. A fire burned a one-tenth of an acre at the same spot at 12:50 p.m. July 17. The latest two fires were at 9:38 p.m. July 18, on a Greenway section near the 1500 block of Pine Street, and at 12:30 p.m. July 20, on a section near the 3000 block of Table Rock Road. Those fires scorched a quarter-acre and just under a half-acre, respectively. Police said they have interviewed several people but have no suspects. Investigators said the main problem lies with inconsistencies in descriptions by witnesses. "We're getting witness statements, but they're so varied," said Medford police Lt. Kevin Walruff. "We don't have a consistent suspect description. We're continuing to keep an eye down there." Anyone with additional information about the case should contact Medford police at 541-770-4784. Reach reporter Ryan Pfeil at 541-776-4468 or [email protected]. Follow him at www.twitter.com/ryanpfeil . By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil MailTribune.com By Ryan Pfeil Mail Tribune Follow @@RyanPfeil Posted Jul. 23, 2016 at 2:00 AM Updated Jul 23, 2016 at 11:10 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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