EDITORIAL
Suspicious brush fires not to be treated lightly

Authorities speculate that a series of brush fires in the Hawai'i Kai area were set intentionally. If they're really the work of arsonists, then that's scary because a blaze can swiftly turn into a dangerous — even deadly — conflagration after five years of drought.

In the past two months, the Hawai'i Kai area has seen seven brush fires, three of which broke out virtually in the same location on successive days. Why, this week alone, three brush fires erupted in Koko Crater, with the latest breaking out less than an hour after crews checked the area.

Meanwhile in Wai'anae, another bone-dry area, brush fires are repeatedly erupting. They, too, are being called "suspicious."

It's a sinister pattern that could lead to devastating consequences in the summer heat. We urge police to make every effort to track down the culprits. Arson is a serious crime.

Take the case of last year's forest fire in Colorado. It devoured 138,000 acres and destroyed 133 homes. Terry Lynn Barton, a Forest Service employee, was sentenced to 12 years in state prison and six years in federal prison on charges of deliberately starting the fire.

Authorities believe Barton set the fire so she could play the hero by putting it out. Whatever motivation lies behind the Hawai'i Kai and Wai'anae brush fires, we hope it fizzles before things really get out of hand.