(July 2, 2008)--Jonathan Lovell, 19, of Graham, has been arrested in connection with a complex of three wildfires that scorched 78 acres along Flat Rock County Road in Young County, the Texas Forest Service said Wednesday.
Investigators determined that fireworks and lighter fluid ignited two of the three fires.
The arson investigation started after law enforcement officers talked to a female motorist who saw a white van speeding away from the spreading wildfires.
She reported what she saw to the Young County Sheriff’s Office.
“The public is very important in reporting arson cases,” said Deputy Sheriff Matt Pruitt, who serves as Young County’s emergency management coordinator.
“With the efforts of people in the community coming forth with information, even the seemingly irrelevant facts could be relevant and essential in solving an arson case.”
The Texas Forest Service offers rewards of as much as $2,000 for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those responsible for setting wildfires.
The Forest Service’s arson hotline number is 1-888-501-3850.
The fire danger is increasing in many areas of the state including Central Texas, where Bell, Coryell, Limestone, McLennan, San Saba and Williamson Counties have ordered bans on outdoor burning.
The Forest Service says any relief that may come in the form of light rain or higher humidity is likely to be short-lived.
“Even a short period of dry, windy weather will sap moisture from dead grass and weeds and quickly render this vegetation dry and fire-prone,” said Rich Gray, mitigation and prevention coordinator with Texas Forest Service, “and obviously, vegetation in areas missed by rains will stay at high risk of wildfires.”
Wildfire Resources
Texas Emergency Management Situation Reports From The Governor's Division Of Emergency Management
Texas Wildfire Information And Reports From The Texas Forest Service
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