A 51-year-old Oregon man was indicted earlier this month on charges of igniting the 18,300-acre Larch Creek Fire in Wasco County, according to court records.
The man was charged with second degree arson and reckless burning. Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis said in a statement the man was squatting on another’s property when he lit the fire that eventually cost $15.6 million to contain.
The fire began on July 9 near Friend in Wasco County and spread rapidly, bringing level 3 “go now” evacuation orders to the Maupin area and near Pine Hollow Reservoir. The fire burned actively until about July 20 and was 100% contained by early August.
The man was scheduled to be arraigned on Monday but “failed to appear for his court date,” according to the Wasco County Sheriff’s Office. A warrant was issued for his arrest.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Oregon man indicted in arson that caused 18,286-acre Larch Creek Fire