Bureau of Land Management law enforcement rangers recently caught an arsonist who ignited a small wildfire earlier this month.
On July 6, the Oregon Department of Forestry responded to reports that a helicopter had located a column of smoke near the Willamette National Forest. They put out the fire and called the BLM once they determined it was located on BLM land in Lane County. BLM fire investigators arrived and quickly determined that the wildfire had been ignited by someone burning garbage they had illegally dumped on public land.
BLM Law Enforcement in coordination with BLM contract deputies at the Lane County Sherif’s Office swiftly identified a suspect. The suspect confessed to dumping the garbage and returning the following day to set the fire. He had returned with a canister of diesel fuel, worried that his fingerprints would be on the garbage and would be traceable to him, and he left the scene while the fire was still burning. After the confession, BLM law enforcement arrested the suspected, who was booked into the Lane County Jail.
Any fire on public lands could be dangerous, especially during the summer months. A spark can quickly turn into a raging wildfire. Last week, wildfires escalated around the Pacific Northwest. This week the region entered Preparedness Level 5, which means that resources to fight fire—from personnel, to engines, to aircraft—are stretched thin.
“Humans cause more than 80% of wildfires on our public lands,” said Adam Johnson, wildfire prevention specialist for the BLM Northwest Oregon District. “We all need to be responsible visitors and take care of our public lands.”
“Before venturing out to public lands, always check local fire restrictions,” Johnson continued. “And, please, respect all fire closures.”
Source: Bureau of Land Management