Arson suspected in more than 20 North Carolina wildfires

RALEIGH, N.C., Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Arson is being investigated as a cause in about 20 wildfires in a national forest in North Carolina, authorities said.

A division of the of the U.S. Forest Service reported the nearly two dozen fires have been reported across more than 25 square miles within the Nantahala National Forest, WSOC reported.

Rabun County, Ga., assistant fire chief Justin Upchurch told WYFF a number of small roadside fires merged into larger fires near the national forrest in the south western part of North Carolina.

He added that law officials are searching for a dark-colored SUV driven by a white male who was seen starting the small fires.

No arson arrests have yet been reported in relation to those fires but arrests were made in Tennessee and Kentucky.

The 20 wildfires responsible for burning more than 17,000 acres prompting North Carolina Gov. Pat McCrory to declare a state of emergency in 25 counties.

"This declaration will help facilitate evacuations as needed and provide further state assets to help combat the wildfires and support North Carolinians displaced by the fires," he said. "This is extremely dangerous work, and I especially want to thank the firefighters, first responders, sheriffs and other emergency personnel that have risked their own lives to protect our citizens and property."

The North Carolina forest service also issued a ban on all open burning and canceled burning permits in 25 counties.