Officials looking into four wildfires in Arizona caused by humans

Authorities Pursue Prosecution for Wildfires in Arizona

Federal officials are working to prosecute individuals responsible for several wildfires ignited by human activities in southeastern Arizona this past spring, as reported by the U.S. Forest Service.

These fires include the Reddington Fire in Pima County, the Fortress Fire in Cochise County, the Cody Fire in Pinal County, and the Jacobson Fire in Graham County. Fortunately, all have either been contained or extinguished by firefighting teams. However, as of June 11, law enforcement has not announced any actions against the suspects, and the investigation remains active.

In one incident, authorities cited 67-year-old David Lindley, accused of starting a 10-acre cedar fire near Oracle in Pima County on May 20. The specifics of how the fire ignited are still unclear, according to a sheriff’s spokesperson.

The incident report indicated that deputies responded to reports of a swiftly escalating fire. Upon arrival, they found emergency responders attending to Lindley for dehydration. He mentioned to a lieutenant that he had been trying to mine when he lit a cigarette and fell asleep. Others at the scene claimed he had started the fire as a “signal fire,” but Lindley did not confirm this narrative.

Firefighters managed to control the cedar fire effectively throughout the afternoon, halting its spread by nightfall, with no structures damaged.

The most devastating of the spring fires, the Cody Fire, consumed 1,223 acres southeast of Oracle in late May, destroying five homes and eight other structures. Residents of Oracle had to evacuate for a week as the flames raged. The Pinal County Sheriff’s Department has yet to announce any suspects related to this fire.

During this spring, southeastern Arizona faced a wave of ignitions, with only two fires started by lightning: the Parker Fire in Cochise County and the Ranch Fire in Santa Cruz County.

As a precaution, federal and state lands in the region implemented stage 2 fire restrictions in May, banning campfires, fireworks, outdoor smoking, shooting, and the use of gas-powered tools in non-cleared areas.

Firefighters have warned that the human-caused fires could worsen due to hot, windy weather and lack of rainfall expected this spring.

According to the Arizona Department of Forestry and Fire Management, about 90% of wildfires in the state are started by humans each year.

Arizona law stipulates that individuals who inadvertently cause a fire can face fines of thousands of dollars. Careless actions, like discarding cigarettes, using metal tools outdoors, or discharging firearms, can all lead to wildfires.