YAKIMA, Wash. (AP) -- Authorities in Kittitas County have arrested a man they believe is responsible for setting a string of fires that destroyed homes, damaged outbuildings and scorched power lines, fences and crops.
Wade K. Kirkwood, 36, of Ellensburg, faces two counts of first-degree arson and eight counts of second-degree arson, Sheriff Gene Dana said. Kirkwood was arrested Tuesday and made his first court appearance Wednesday. Bail was set at $1 million.
If convicted, he could face up to 12 years in prison, Dana said.
The arrest was a breakthrough for authorities who have been scrambling to find the person or persons responsible for setting dozens of fires in the past two years. At the height of the fires this summer, authorities admitted the blazes were stretching resources _ and patience _ for everyone in the rural, central Washington county that stretches from Snoqualmie Pass, across the east slope of the Cascades to the Columbia River.
Twenty fires so far this year have been attributed to arson, and at least a dozen fires were believed to be arson-caused in 2003. A task force was created in August to investigate the blazes.
Investigators first began suspecting Kirkwood in mid-August following reports that his vehicle had been seen in the area of a fire that was started Aug. 12. Surveillance teams near another fire that was started Aug. 19 also reported seeing Kirkwood's vehicle in the area, Dana said.
``We've been basically following him around to see if he was starting any other fires,'' Dana said. ``We got the warrant this week to make the arrest.''
Kirkwood had been employed by a company that controlled traffic on highway projects this summer on Blewett Pass north of Interstate 90, Dana said.
So far, investigators have tied 11 fires this year to Kirkwood, but they were not ruling out that more charges could be filed, Dana said. The remaining arson fires were still under investigation.
Among the fires Kirkwood has been accused of starting is the Elk Heights fire, which was started July 30 just off Interstate 90 between Cle Elum and Thorp. The wind-fanned wildfire forced the evacuation of hundreds of houses and destroyed two homes and a workshop.
Many homes were just barely saved by firefighters.
The sheriff's department offered a $10,000 reward for information in that case.
All of the fires had similarities. Most were set in the afternoon, in areas with plenty of fuel, such as dry grass or timber, and near homes and highway access.
``We have talked to the fire chiefs who were involved with all the fires this year, and they're very relieved that they're not going to have any more issues this summer, hopefully,'' Dana said. ``It was a very busy summer.''
