Arsonist accused of setting trash on fire in Willamette National Forest

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) — A 69-year-old man was arrested for felony arson on July 15 after he allegedly set an illegally dumped pile of garbage on fire in the Willamette National Forest on July 6 — in the middle of a 100-degree heat wave — court records show.

Lane County resident Ricky Allan Townsend allegedly told Bureau of Land Management investigators that dumped the garbage in the national forest and set it ablaze with a canister of diesel fuel.

“The suspect confessed to dumping the garbage and returning the following day to set the fire,” the BLM stated in a press release. “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.”

The trash fire sparked a small wildfire, which was spotted by a helicopter and quickly extinguished by the Oregon Department of Forestry. BLM Wildfire Prevention Specialist Adam Johnson stressed that forest fires are especially dangerous during the summer months.

“Humans cause more than 80% of wildfires on our public lands,” Johnson was quoted saying in a press release. “We all need to be responsible visitors and take care of our public lands… Always check local fire restrictions. And, please, respect all fire closures.”

Towsend signed a pretrial release on July 20. He is scheduled to appear in Lane County Circuit Court on Aug. 19.