I was thinking in what forum should I post this information. Boondocking, tent camping, etc. But I am putting it in General RV since the information could apply to many types of camping.
The 7,600 plus acre Hewlett Fire is burning north west of Fort Collins, Colorado today and is still not under control. It was announced this afternoon that a 56 year old Fort Collins man has admitted to accidently starting the fire. The source of the fire was a alcohol-fuled camping stove. If this is an accurate description of the stove it may be a small backpacking style stove.
He tried to stop the fire by was not successful. There is no cell phone service in that area (very common in the Colorado mountains). By the time he could get to cell service the fire had taken off.
They said he could be ticketed for "causing timber to burn without a permit" $325 in fines and fees. But the big money item is that he could be subject to civil restution.
The estimated cost of fighting the fire so far is $1,200,000. There are 500 firefighters on scene along with 3 helicopters and one air tanker.
In many of the forums people post about wanting to cook outside, having a campfire, etc. A new feature of many travel trailers is the outside kitchen. Any of these could cause a fire to accidently start.
As dry as this year has started the exposure to a forest fire is major.
sgip2000 wrote: I see a bankruptcy petition in that man's future.
Frankly, I doubt it. The two morons that started the Wallow fire in eastern Arizona last year got off with probation. Keep in mind this was the largest fire in the history of the state. Nobody is responsible for their actions anymore, what a sad joke on all of us.
Lots of idiots in the west light forest fires, then cry and say they are sorry. Since there are no consequences, why should they care? The moron who started the Reservior fire said the fire department was to blame!
If it was up to me I'd fine them say $10,000 per year until they had replanted every tree they burned up! If they burned down houses, the idiot could be forced to rebuild the houses. Bet there would be lots less human started fires.
Chuck
Wonderful Wife
Australian Shepherd
2010 Ford Expedition TV
2010 Outback 230RS Toybox, 5390# UVW, 6800# Loaded Not yet camped in Hawaii, 2 Canada Provinces, & 2 Territories I can't be lost because I don't care where this lovely road is going
cm wrote: I was thinking in what forum should I post this information. Boondocking, tent camping, etc. But I am putting it in General RV since the information could apply to many types of camping.
The 7,600 plus acre Hewlett Fire is burning north west of Fort Collins, Colorado today and is still not under control. It was announced this afternoon that a 56 year old Fort Collins man has admitted to accidently starting the fire. The source of the fire was a alcohol-fuled camping stove. If this is an accurate description of the stove it may be a small backpacking style stove.
He tried to stop the fire by was not successful. There is no cell phone service in that area (very common in the Colorado mountains). By the time he could get to cell service the fire had taken off.
They said he could be ticketed for "causing timber to burn without a permit" $325 in fines and fees. But the big money item is that he could be subject to civil restution.
The estimated cost of fighting the fire so far is $1,200,000. There are 500 firefighters on scene along with 3 helicopters and one air tanker.
In many of the forums people post about wanting to cook outside, having a campfire, etc. A new feature of many travel trailers is the outside kitchen. Any of these could cause a fire to accidently start.
As dry as this year has started the exposure to a forest fire is major.
Wow. I had not followed this story, had no idea the costs had gotten up so high!
Ediots don't just live in the west. Two years ago we were camping at Stephen Foster SP. in Florida. The camp site next to ours had a father and his two suns. It was misting and the father told the one sun to get rid of the hot charcoal. The kid threw it on the ground in the brush. A couple hours later my wife hollered that there was a fire in the next camp site. I ran out hollering fire and grabbed our spare hose and the neighbor on the other side came with his hose. Lucky thay had a 2 hose bib on the water. Luckly we got it out before it had a chance to spread into all the dead brush. The fire company came and made sure that three were no smoldering embers. I heard that they had to pay for the cost of the fire company to come out.
Years ago a friend of ours was cleaning his fish on the river bank, way up in the hills. A couple came through and berated him for "mucking up the water with horrible fish guts" (yeah, mother nature can do it, but we can't).....anyway, later on that day a forest fire started up. Turns out that couple didn't want to leave THEIR waste for the animals to be disgusted so they tried burning their used toilet paper --- and burned the forest. Yeah, there's an idiot or two in every state..............
Unfortunately, as is the custom on many internet forums, people start calling someone an idiot without knowing the full story.
In an update on the story tonight it was mentioned that the stove was a small back packing style stove.
They reported that the fire was started by accident. He tried to put out the fire but it spread to quickly. So he then left the area to report the fire as quickly as possible. He contacted the sheriff's department and reported that he is responsible.
Chuck&Gail wrote: Lots of idiots in the west light forest fires, then cry and say they are sorry. Since there are no consequences, why should they care? The moron who started the Reservior fire said the fire department was to blame!
If it was up to me I'd fine them say $10,000 per year until they had replanted every tree they burned up! If they burned down houses, the idiot could be forced to rebuild the houses. Bet there would be lots less human started fires.
Wow...ya know, sometimes things are just accidents.
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