BAY MINETTE, Ala. — Arsonists were busy over the weekend, setting six separate fires in the Perdido area, according to rangers with the Baldwin County Forestry Department.

Forest Ranger Ross Presley said three of the fires occurred Friday, burning a total of 150 acres.

"The big fire burned 110 acres, the other two burned 20 acres each," he said.

Presley said three structures were saved that day, however, driving on Interstate Highway 65 was tenuous as smoke hovered over the road.

Saturday's fire consumed two acres, while the two Sunday burned 70 acres - one destroying 20 acres, the other 50. "Four structures were saved during those," Presley said.

He said he's not surprised by the number of intentionally set fires in that area, noting that the number has decreased over the years.

"Years ago, it was nothing to have 20 of those a day," he said. "We used to have 500 a year, now we're down to under 100 a year."

He said Perdido has always been a hot spot for arsonists, as well as the surrounding communities of Rabun and Lottie.

"I would say 80 to 90 percent of fires in the Perdido area are set intentionally," he said. "The other percent are started by Joe Blow who let his fire get out of control or a piece of machinery caught on fire or something like that, but the majority aren't that."

Because it is so difficult to catch arsonists, the Forestry Department offers a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of the person or people responsible.

"They can call the 800 number and everything is confidential and will remain anonymous," Presley said. The hotline number is (800) 222-2927.

Residents can also get information about the fires on the Web site at Baldwin.County@forestry.alabama.gov.