http://www.boston.com/dailynews/200/nation/U_S_Forest_Service_firefighter:.shtml

U.S. Forest Service firefighter charged with setting fires in national forest

By Associated Press, 7/19/2001 22:28

SAN DIEGO (AP) A U.S. Forest Service firefighter has been charged with setting five fires in a national forest over the past two months.

James King, 26, was in his third season as a temporary firefighter. He was being held without bail Thursday on five counts of wilfully starting fires. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison.

He did not enter a plea at an arraignment Monday. His attorney, Ezekiel E. Cortez, did not return phone messages.

No one was injured in any of the fires, which consumed 30 acres in the Cleveland National Forest in San Diego County, but investigators said that did not diminish the seriousness of the case.

''This person was going to continue to light fires,'' said Ronald Huxman, a special agent with the U.S. Forest Service. ''As fire season rolled on, one of these fires would have escaped control and become a large fire possibly injuring property and lives.''

Investigators are trying to determine whether King is responsible for other fires. Huxman declined to discuss King's possible motive.

-- Anonymous, July 20, 2001