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Two fires that consumed a large portion of forested areas in Lafayette County, Ark., on Sunday are believed to be arson, authorities said.

Following an initial investigation, it was “determined there were no lightning strikes on those particular fires,” said Dennis Mason, Arkansas Forestry Commission investigator.

The fires broke out about 4 a.m. Sunday.

Firefighters from several Southwest Arkansas counties and Northwest Louisiana parishes, along with forestry agencies, battled blazes well into the evening hours. The flames destroyed an estimated 391 acres. ...