North Yorkshire Fire Service were called to Acaster Hill near Husthwaite following reports that there were hay bales on fire.
Police were also called to the scene, in the early hours of Saturday 6 July 2013, where they stopped a Renault Clio nearby. The occupants of the vehicle, three men in their 20s from York, were arrested on suspicion of arson.
They have been released on bail as enquiries continue.
North Yorkshire Police has been investigating a number of similar fires across the county over the past few months and enquiries are being conducted to establish whether the incidents are linked.
Detective Inspector Darrin Knight, who is leading the investigation, said:
It is still too early to say if this incident is linked to the other hay bale fires which have occurred recently. However, enquiries are ongoing to see if there is any connection.
Information from the public is vital in investigations of this nature, therefore I would appeal to anyone who can help with our enquiries to get in touch with the police or Crimestoppers as soon as possible.
I urge the farming and rural communities in North Yorkshire to be vigilant and work with the police to ensure that we can bring anyone responsible for incidents of this nature to justice.
The Farmwatch and Ruralwatch schemes which are in operation in rural areas work very well in helping to tackle crime and acting as our eyes and ears in remote locations.
This partnership working between the police and our communities is very important and hopefully residents can be assured that we are there for them and are working hard to protect them from rural criminals.
If you have any information about hay or straw bale fires, please contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 – select option 1 – and pass information to the Force Control Room.
If you wish to remain anonymous, Crimestoppers can be contacted on 0800 555 111.
