By: Taylor Bowden / Assistant News Director

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is looking for the public’s help as they investigate a series of grass
fires.
Since March 29th, the Benton County Sheriff’s Office, Foley Fire Department, Sauk Rapids Fire
Department, and DNR fire crews have responded to 7 grass fires in road ditches in and around Benton
County.

Due to the number and frequency of the fires, along with evidence found at some of the scenes, investigators believe some or all of the fires were set intentionally. The following fires are
under investigation:
• March 29th at about 11:30 AM a grass fire was reported in the 2000 block of 55th St NE in
Minden Township.
• March 30th at about 9:25 AM a grass fire was reported in the 4700 block of 25th Ave NE in
Minden Township.
• March 31st at about 9:15 AM a grass fire was reported near the intersection of 5th Ave NE and 75th
St NE in Watab Township.
• March 31st at about 11:45 AM a grass fire was reported on 185th Ave NE near the intersection
with Hwy 23 in Maywood Township.
• March 31st at about 1:00 PM a grass fire was reported near the intersection of 180th Ave NE and
Hwy 23 in Maywood Township.
• April 1st at about 10:35 AM a grass fire was reported near the intersection of 55th Ave NE and 65th
St NE in Mayhew Lake Township.
• April 1st at about 10:50 AM a grass fire was reported near the intersection of 115th St NE and
Mayhew Lake Rd NE in Mayhew Lake Township.

• April 6th at about 3:47 PM a ditch fire was reported in the west ditch of US Highway 71, just south of the intersection with Stearns County Road 29. The cause of the fire is believed to be a cigarette butt thrown from a vehicle

The Benton County Sheriff’s Office is asking that anyone seeing suspicious vehicles or activity, please report these vehicles to law enforcement immediately.

Anyone with information about these fires or the suspect(s) is asked to contact the Benton County
Sheriff’s Office at (320) 968-7201 or Tri-County Crime Stoppers at (800) 255-1301.