BLM arrests Lane County suspect on arson charge, accused of setting fire to garbage he dumped day earlier

SALEM, Ore. (KTVZ) -- Bureau of Land Management law enforcement rangers recently caught an arsonist who ignited a small wildfire earlier this month, the agency said Wednesday.

On Saturday, 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 Sheriff’s Office, swiftly identified a suspect.

They said 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 suspect, who was booked into the Lane County Jail.

The agency did not identify the suspect.

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's 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.