Bailey Fire Origin?

[NJFFSA16]

Regarding the wildfire burning in Bailey, Colorado:

Authorities were questioning three high school freshmen who were seen running from a ridge where the fire started Tuesday. Smokers
often congregate there, officials said.
The teens' parents were cooperating, Park County Sheriff Fred Wegener said. Two of the families have hired lawyers.

What penalties should someone incur if their discarded cigarette ignites a fire that burns 3,000 acres, evacuates an entire town, closes the school, prevents people from going to their jobs and requires over six hundred firefighters, police, EMS, Red Cross, aircraft....etc., to suppress the fire?

Community service? Cost of suppression? Jail Sentence? Public Lashing?

:eek:

[smketer]

Yeah that fire is moving.

Having been on other fires in southern calif if someone starts a fire and they find out who started it, and it was from smoking or a camp fire. I have heard and seen the state give the bill to the family that started it, so if the kids are under 18 good old mom and dad are stuck with the bill.

I was on the charman fire 4 years ago where a lady was camping in the LP national forest in calif, she burned her tp it started a fire that went into the 3 million dollar range, I heard she got the bill.

And if they find that someone starts the fire and a firefighter is hurt or killed they are held for killing someone from my understanding.

Stay safe,

[lady_in_turnouts]

Growing up in CO I remember reading about some juveniles that had started a grass fire, and the parents were responsible for the total cost of manpower,damage,etc.If that is still the case these days, I really do not know.

I believe jail time should be handed out for people who start the fires, irregardless of whether life was lost. To some, losing property and animals are just as bad as losing a life.Of course we all know that sometimes the culprit will never be found.

Lady.

[NJFFSA16]

Those found guilty for starting forest fires in NJ can be fined and held responsible for suppression costs....which can be quite substancial. Of course, if it's a teenager....the parents get the bill. They should tack on community service for the adolescents in those cases. Maybe help out in a burn center...that would illustrate the dangers.;)