Park Employee Accused of Starting Blaze
June 17 -- U.S. Forest Service officials say they are sick at heart: the person accused of starting the massive Colorado blaze is one of their own, sent to the area to stop others from starting fires.
Forestry technician Terry Barton, 38, is accused of starting the largest wildfire in state history when she allegedly burned a letter from her estranged husband while on patrol to enforce a fire ban in Pike National Forest.
The blaze, named the Hayman fire, has so far scorched more than 100,000 acres, destroyed 22 homes and threatened suburban Denver. It is about 47 percent contained, and more than 5,000 people remain evacuated.
It is one of seven wildfires burning in Colorado.
Barton appeared in U.S. District Court in Denver today on charges of setting fire to timber in a national forest, damaging federal property and making false statements to investigators. Her voice quavered as she told a magistrate that she understood she could be sentenced to prison time. Barton was ordered held without bail pending a preliminary hearing on the charges.
Prosecutors believe Barton would be a flight risk if granted bail.
"She would return to a community in which there is considerable hostility toward her, which would ask to the prospect of her being a flight risk," said U.S. attorney John Suthers.
If Barton is convicted of all the charges, she could face up to 20 years in prison and a fine of as much as $750,000.
Reported Smelling Smoke
The Forest Service official who delivered the shocking news said it was the hardest announcement he's ever made.
"I want to begin by saying, this is one of the hardest announcements I've had to make in my career," said Rick Cables, regional forester for the Rocky Mountain Region for the U.S. Forest Service and Barton's supervisor. "I'm saddened to say that one of our employees has admitted to starting the Hayman fire."
Barton, who worked for the Forest Service for 18 years and was responsible for giving information to tourists and helping maintain campgrounds, allegedly started her fire on June 8 in an area where campfires are normally allowed, but have been banned since May.
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