ATLANTA — The search is on for a man in a dark-blue SUV last seen where a handful of fires began in Georgia, while authorities in North Carolina said arson was suspected in more than 20 wildfires burning across the state line.

At least three arson arrests were previously reported in Tennessee and Kentucky as forests burn around the southern Appalachians.

Law officers in Georgia’s Rabun County suspect that someone started a series of small roadside fires Wednesday that eventually merged into the much larger blazes firefighters were working to contain on Friday, said Justin Upchurch, assistant fire chief.

The Rabun County sheriff’s office urged people to be on the lookout, saying the SUV was last seen in the area of the fires. In a separate Facebook post, the office asked residents to spread the word ‘‘and help us lock this criminal up!!!’’

The area is less than 50 miles from North Carolina’s Nantahala National Forest, where more than 20 wildfires are being investigated for suspected arson.

Associated Press