Two Arrested After Illegal Fireworks Start Brush Fire in Willamette National Forest

The illegal fireworks were reported to have been purchased in Vancouver, WA.

Salem-News.com

(SALEM, Ore. ) - The Marion County Sheriff's Office arrested a juvenile and and an adult male on arson and possession of illegal fireworks charges.

Deputies say the two had been swimming at 3 Pools Recreation Site in the Willamette National Forest and were driving south bound on Little North Fork Rd.

The juvenile passenger began shooting Roman Candles out the vehicle window which caused a brush fire along the roadway near Salmon Falls County Park.

Witnesses contacted a USFS Law Enforcement Officer,who responded and assisted in controlling the blaze which was reported to have flames over 2 feet high.

A description of the subjects was passed along to Marion County Forest Patrol Deputies working the area.

The subjects were located about 9 miles away and arrested by Forest Patrol Sergeant Tim Steele.

Several other illegal fireworks were seized from the two suspects.

The adult was identified as Shawn Scofield of Salem.

The illegal fireworks were reported to have been purchased in Vancouver, WA.

Fire personnel from the Oregon Dept. of Forestry and Elkhorn Valley Fire Station responded and were able to bring the fire under control quickly.

If not, several homes, youth camps, private and public forest lands in that area would have been in jeopardy.

The investigation is continuing.