Yakima Firefighters have seen an increase in arson incidents over the past few years.
Intentionally and maliciously setting fires is a crime that could result in felony arrest and investigations tap into more resources than just the fire department alone.
"It's a multi-jurisdictional thing - so it could involve anywhere from the police department to ATF and the FBI, depending on the severity of the incident," Yakima Fire Department Spokesperson Capt. Jeff Pfaff said.
Arson can be as minimal as a child experimenting with matches, or can be as severe as a homicide, as in the case of Jerene Matta's death.
Matta was found dead in her home in December 2013. Police say she was hit in the head before someone set her house on fire while she was inside.
So far, no one's been arrested and the case is still being investigated.
KIMA pulled the numbers and found arson investigations in Yakima have increased over the past few years.
Yakima firefighters and police investigated 11 arson incidents in 2012, and 15 in 2013.
That number jumped to 39 in 2014.
So far this year, the departments have investigated 19 arson incidents.
Yakima firefighters say the spike in 2014 is due in part to a serial arsonist.
William Brannin is charged with second degree arson for a string of fires near Tieton drive last year. He has not been convicted. He's scheduled to appear in court in November.