The series of intentionally set fires in the woods at Fort Ward Park earlier this month has prompted Bainbridge police to consider adding extra resources to assist in the investigation of suspicious fires.

“As a result of the suspicious fires at Fort Ward, I am training up a couple of our officers — at least one or two — in arson investigations,” Police Chief Matthew Hamner said Monday.

“That could have been very ugly,” Hamner said of the fires that were set sometime early Saturday, Aug. 22 in the tinder-dry forest but quickly doused by local firefighters.

Hamner said he would issue a “general information bulletin” either Monday or Tuesday to identify officers for the added training.

Hamner said he’s already heard that some officers are interested in the opportunity.

If no one steps forward, he added, the new duties will be assigned to one of the department’s detectives.

“It’s a very specialized investigatory duty,” Hamner said.

The Fort Ward fires are still under investigation by both Bainbridge police and the Bainbridge Island Fire Department.

New details on the fires is not available as the investigation is continuing.

“There might be some information we’re following up on. But I can’t comment on that,” Hamner said.

The Bainbridge Island Fire Department was called out to Fort Ward Park just before 7 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 22 for a reported fire.

A number of fires were found along a steep, wooded trail that goes toward the fort’s bunkers, and Bainbridge Island Fire Marshal Luke Carpenter said the department determined the fires had been “deliberately set.”

Anyone who has information about the fires should call 911.