KEARNEY, Neb. -- The Sherman County Sheriff's Office is looking into not one, not two, but close to double digit wild fires they believe were likely started on purpose.

"Within that last year time frame, we've had eight to ten fire responses from the Loup City Fire Department," said Sherman County Sheriff Joel Bergman.

Two of those fires were set within the last week of one another. The first happening on March 13 and the second occurring March 15. 

"We've kind of notified patterns to that appear some of these grass fires we've responded to have been intentionally set," Bergman said. "When we do have these type of fires, (we) pay attention when (first responders) get on scene to look for any evidence these fires weren't just either naturally caused or accidentally caused.

"If we can't determine those fires were started by a reason we know, then we began to look at them being unintentionally started or intentionally started."

Those fires come with a cost; to the rural fire departments who rely on fundraising from the community for financial support, to the equipment they use to fight any fires in their jurisdiction and beyond, to the people who invest their time and efforts plus hours or days away from their normal work to help put out the fires, and to the people who's property gets damaged.

"(Private land owners) are out having to rebuild fence, they're losing pasture ground, for the period of time in the spring season when it's important to be moving livestock to the fields," said Bergman.

Punishment can be severe for arson, which would be the charge for whomever is responsible for lighting the fires. Second degree arson can be punishable by up to 50 years in prison, depending on what the county or district attorney sought for a conviction.

"The more damages that are assessed, you're looking at pretty serious charges for individuals involved in this."