ROLLA, Mo. - Mark Twain National Forest needs your help to stop forest arson. The Forest established an anonymous tip line for the public and is offering a reward for usable information.
Recently, the Rozell Fire burned more than 2,000 acres and destroyed a person's home. Fire investigators believe that this fire, and other wildland fires that occurred the same day in Taney County, are the result of arsonist activity. Forest arson cases are generally felonies under Missouri state laws. Forest arson is a common term for deliberately burning forests, grasslands, or brush without the owner's permission. Unlike prescribed fire, which is planned and conducted by trained professionals through coordination with other agencies and landowners, forest arson creates extremely hazardous, out-of-control wildfires that can threaten life and property.
The Ava/Cassville/Willow Springs (ACW) Ranger District experienced several incidents of suspected arson in the last year. District Ranger Joe Koloski stated, "We really want to stop any arsonists and could use the public's assistance in providing usable information to achieve this goal."
USDA Forest Service fire officials suspect forest arson to be an ongoing problem on the ACW Ranger District.
"Forest arsonists are gambling with other people's lives, and this needs to stop," stated Koloski.
Forest Service Law Enforcement is offering up to $25,000 for information that leads to arrests and convictions in this or other arson cases. The amount of the reward distributed will depend on the actionable nature of the information provided as determined by Forest Service Law Enforcement.
Who loses when forest arson occurs?
Everybody loses when forest arsonists strike: citizen and firefighter lives are put at risk; people can lose their homes and possessions; consumers may pay more for products made from forest materials; fighting wildfires can be costly to taxpayers; and forest-dependent jobs can be threatened by catastrophic fire.
How can you help stop forest arson?
If you have any information that can help catch arsonists, please call the Mark Twain National Forest's arson hotline at (573) 364-1745 and provide the following information: location and time of the fire; name of person responsible, if known; description of persons observed at the scene; description of any vehicles observed at the scene; any other pertinent information; and the caller's contact information for reward purposes (this will be kept confidential).
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