Teen Charged with Arson After Firework Sets Off 28-Acre Fire.Photo:Eagle Police
Eagle Police
A 16-year-old boy from Meridian, Idaho, has been charged with third-degree arson after lighting a firework that caused a 28-acre fire, authorities said.
Last week, the Eagle Police Department (EPD)shared in a post on Facebookthat the fire departments for the Middleton, Star and Meridian districts, as well as the Bureau of Land Management, responded to the fire around 9 p.m. local time on Sept. 16.
Per police, Ada County Sheriff’s Office deputies determined from evidence collected that the teen — whose identity has not been revealed — wanted to ignite a mortar-style firework while out with other boys his age. At the time, police said the boys were driving through the Bureau of Land Management’s territory in an SUV.
“The boys tried to put the fire out but were unsuccessful. They then drove away. One of the boys called 911 to report what happened,” police wrote in their social media statement. “Before deputies could meet them, the boy who lit the firework got out of the SUV and ran away.”
The teenager’s court case is currently pending at Ada County Juvenile Court, according to the social media statement.
The EPD did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
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Based on the Department of Lands’Idaho Fire Map, several wildfires are still burning across the state.CBS Newsreported that the Idaho Department of Lands (IDL) tracked 86 fires in July and 92 fires in August.
As of Sept. 1, IDL Director Dustin Miller andIdaho Sportsmenissued ajoint statementin which they warned residents that wildfire season is not over yet.
“We investigate the cause of every fire on the 9 million acres we protect,” Miller said. “If you start a fire negligently, under Idaho law you may be responsible for the entire cost of suppressing the fire, which can cost millions of dollars.”
source: people.com
