DAYTON – Arson has been ruled out in four of the five suspicious fires here between June 28 and July 22, according to incident reports released by Columbia County Fire Marshal Kim Lyonnais on Monday.

"But all of the cases are going to remain open," Lyonnais said. "We hope that eventually a witness hears some kids bragging or overhears something else that gives us a lead." Each report that discounts arson includes the language "at this time."

The marshal's office was not called to investigate one of the fires – a brush fire along the Touchet River dike behind the city's wastewater treatment pla...