Police forward Bisbee fire case to the county

By Jonathon Shacat
Wick News Service
Published/Last Modified on Saturday, March 29, 2008 3:06 PM MDT


BISBEE — The Cochise County Attorney’s Office will consider the possibility of filing charges against a man who started a fire that burned about 800 acres on Moon Canyon last week.


A Bisbee resident started the fire March 20 when he was burning wood and brush near his home. The fire was declared contained on March 22, but some firefighters remained on the scene last Sunday to deal with remaining hot spots.

Bisbee police conducted an investigation. Charlie Austin, an officer with the Bisbee Police Department, said he finished a report on Friday and he expected the Cochise County Attorney’s Office to receive it on Monday.

“The report has been completed and it has been forwarded to the county attorney for review and for possible criminal action,” Austin said.

Some homes were evacuated due to the fire. A total of about 130 people were displaced for two nights.

Fire crews from Bisbee, San Jose, Naco, Arizona Department of Corrections, Tucson, Palominas, Patagonia, Huachuca City, Rio Rico, Safford, Douglas, Elfrida, Northwest Fire, Arizona State Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service responded.

Austin said it is fortunate the fire did not cause significant damage or serious injury.

“It turned out good,” he said. “But the possibility for tragedy was there.”

Copyright © 2012 Douglas Dispatch

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