A pile of hundreds of tires smoldered for hours after it was set on fire in Marysville.

The huge fire was discovered at 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, and firefighters continued to work to put it out with foam Thursday morning.

The tires were stacked in a 40-by-40-foot area in a pile about 10 feet high in a remote, open field in an undeveloped area west of State Avenue and east of Interstate 5.

Investigators believe the fire could be connected to the land’s troubled past with a homeless encampment.  Those who were living on the land were evicted a few weeks ago because of problems with vandalism, the dumping of trash, assaults and other crimes.

Residents, local tribes and the city are in the process of cleaning it up, and the tire pile was part of the ongoing effort.

Neighbor Murdoch Hughes, who lives next to the plot of land, said he’s not surprised by the fire because of past issues with those camping on the vacant land.

“They had, I guess, a pyromaniac woman who was back there, and she started burning all the little shacks,” said Hughes.

Hughes thinks the same woman is likely to blame.

“I’m pretty sure that's who did it, and she had her biggest fire ever, that’s for sure,” said Hughes.

Fire officials said the recent eviction is likely linked to the fire.

 “This is a blatant act of disregard to the environment, to firefighter safety and public safety,” said Marysville Fire District Marshall Tom Maloney.

“It made us nervous all the time, not knowing who is back there.  It could be a felon, or anyone,” said Hughes.