Thursday, August 25, 2011

Two Charged in Wallow Fire

Two Arizona men are facing federal charges for causing the Wallow Fire. The fire burned more than 530,000 acres in Arizona and part of western New Mexico. 26 year old Caleb Malboeuf of Benson and 24 year old David Malboeuf of Tucson will make an initial appearance in federal court in Flagstaff on September 19.

The Wallow Fire destroyed 32 residential structures, four commercial structures and 36 outbuildings. It cost more than $79 million to fight.

An investigation indicates that the fire started when an unattended and unextinguished campfire in the Bear Wallow area spread in high winds after the two cousins left to go on a hike.

Both men were charged with five counts related to causing the fire. A conviction for each of the offenses carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison, a $5,000 fine or both.

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