Salem, Ore. — 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.”
Visitors to public lands can find information on BLM restrictions and closures on the BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/oregon-washington/fire-restrictions
If you see a fire, call 911 immediately.
District Chief Ranger Damian Hayes had another reminder for public land users, “Remember, this is not the place to get rid of unwanted garbage. Please take it to your local dump.”
“It’s our job to protect public lands for the enjoyment of current and future generations,” continued Hayes. “We take dumping very seriously and ask members of the public to call us if they see dumping or other natural resource crimes on BLM land.”
Contact information for BLM offices across Oregon and Washington is available on the BLM website: https://www.blm.gov/oregon-washington
To schedule a media interview with a BLM law enforcement ranger, please reach out to Sarah Bennett at 503-808-6003 or spbennett@blm.gov.
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The BLM manages more than 245 million acres of public land located primarily in 12 western states, including Alaska, on behalf of the American people. The BLM also administers 700 million acres of sub-surface mineral estate throughout the nation. Our mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of America’s public lands for the use and enjoyment of present and future generations.
