Wildfire

Two People Questioned Over Campfire That Started Largest Wildfire in Arizona History

 

Two likely very unhappy campers are getting questioned today in connection with a campfire left burning on May 29 that apparently started the largest wildfire in Arizona history.

Media reports state that the feds aren't releasing names, nor have they arrested anyone.

Meanwhile, the nearly half-million-acre Wallow fire is said to be only 20 percent contained on the 18th day of the battle.

 

 

Even if the campers started the wildfire by accident, they could end up in big trouble. In 2003, Peri Van Brunt was sentenced to 18 months in prison because of a campfire that got of control and raged for months in and around the Sequoia National Forest.

We'd be almost as terrified of the public scorn -- from some of the thousands of people who had to flee their homes because of the Wallow fire, not to mention nature lovers.

KEEP PHOENIX NEW TIMES FREE... Since we started Phoenix New Times, it has been defined as the free, independent voice of Phoenix, and we'd like to keep it that way. With local media under siege, it's more important than ever for us to rally support behind funding our local journalism. You can help by participating in our "I Support" program, allowing us to keep offering readers access to our incisive coverage of local news, food and culture with no paywalls.
Ray Stern has worked as a newspaper reporter in Arizona for more than two decades. He's won numerous awards for his reporting, including the Arizona Press Club's Don Bolles Award for Investigative Journalism.

Latest Stories