Three accused of starting Lake County wildfire

Three Eugene-area men who authorities allege started a nearly 5,900-acre Lake County wildfire last summer by shooting at exploding targets have been arrested on felony charges.

Lake County District Attorney Sharon Forster said Friday a grand jury has indicted Elijah Dyer, Gary Bigelow and David Evans. Each faces single felony charges of manufacturing a destructive device and criminal conspiracy, as well as six misdemeanor counts of reckless burning.

Foster said Oregon State Police led the investigation that led to Monday’s grand jury indictment.

According to The Associated Press, Forster said the men are from the Eugene-Springfield area and were visiting Central Oregon for a family gathering July 8 on private land north of Summer Lake Lodge.

Forster said they added pyrotechnics to exploding targets. She noted that exploding targets such as Tannerite are legal in Oregon, but not attaching fireworks and recklessly shooting at them during dry summer conditions.

The wildfire that west of Ana Reservoir, near Summer Lake consumed about 9 square miles and destroyed a hunting cabin and outbuilding.

It’s not clear from online records if the three have attorneys, The AP reported.