Police in North Vancouver are searching for an arsonist who lit at least 14 brush fires along a forested trail on Wednesday, in many cases in the forest just beyond some homes.

"The police will be out all night making patrols and I understand the fire department will also be making patrols through all the trails," said Corp. Doug Trousdell with North Vancouver RCMP.

About a dozen fires were first detected on Wednesday morning along a one-kilometre section of the Hastings Creek trail. Several more fires were detected in the evening.

Officials say it's clear the fires were caused by humans, pointing to paper and a beer cans found at the scene.

Resident Kirsten Bell, who lives near Ross Road Elementary School, could see the smoke curling up from just behind her fence.

"It's a bit unsettling, to say the least, to have somebody intentionally setting fires, when such a crisis is already underway," said Bell.

"My neighbour has a hose and a sprinkler pointed at the fence to keep it away from their house and keep the area damp."

Google Maps: Hastings Creek Park, North Vancouver, BC