A 49-year-old Salem man accused of starting fires police say resulted in the Slate Fire in July turned himself in on Friday, according to the Linn County Sheriff’s Office.
The Slate Fire burned more than 90 acres of U.S. Forest Service land south of the Detroit Reservoir. No homes or structures were damaged. More than $2 million was spent on suppression efforts.
According to the sheriff’s office, the man told investigators he lit multiple fires to signal for help but lost control of them. Police allege the Slate Fire started as a result of those fires.
The sheriff’s office said the area was under U.S. Forest Service fire restriction orders due to high fire danger.
Police said the man turned himself in at the Linn County Jail and was arrested on charges of reckless burning, reckless endangering and second-degree criminal mischief.
This article originally appeared on Salem Statesman Journal: Police arrest Salem man suspected of starting Slate Fire near Detroit Lake