The 15-year-old suspected of starting the Eagle Creek fire by playing with fireworks is a church-going snowboarder from a large Ukrainian family…

Russian-speaking Pentecostals form one of the largest Eastern European immigrant communities in the metro area,

After a nearly seven-week investigation, the teen now faces charges in Hood River Juvenile Court, including reckless burning, criminal mischief and reckless endangerment. The Oregonian/OregonLive typically doesn’t name juveniles in criminal cases unless they’re charged with Measure 11 crimes or are tried as an adult. Neither of those conditions apply to this case.

Firefighting costs covering state and federal expenses are expected to rise beyond the $20 million already spent as the fire smolders and work continues, a U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman said. That doesn’t include things like $2 million to $3 million in lost business in the Cascade Locks, where evacuations hit at the height of the late summer tourist season.

The Eagle Creek fire burned through 48,831 acres of forest in the gorge, threatening landmarks including Multnomah Falls and destroying others including the Oneonta Tunnel on the Historic Columbia River Highway. Hundreds of people were evacuated in cities between Hood River and Portland and Interstate 84 was closed for 10 days. It threatened 5,000 homes and buildings and destroyed four homes.

The fire sent thick smoke and ash into Portland and caused health warnings for days. Many trails and campgrounds remained closed along the gorge with no schedule for reopening.

https://www.oregonlive.com/wildfires/2017/11/mortified_mom_of_teen_charged_in_eagle_creek_fire_speaks_this_is_a_trauma_for_him.html

Judge Orders Boy Who Started Oregon Wildfire To Pay $36 Million In Restitution

The teenager who threw fireworks into a canyon last year, starting a fire in Oregon’s Columbia River Gorge that burned nearly 47,000 acres, has been ordered to pay $36.6 million in restitution — although the judge acknowledges that the boy won’t be able to pay it in full.

He was sentenced to 1,920 hours of community service and five years of probation.

The judge ordered payment to a number of entities, though it’s not clear how much any of them will actually receive: $21 million to the U.S. Forest Service, $12.5 million to the Oregon Department of Transportation, $1.6 million to the Oregon State Fire Marshal, and $1 million to Union Pacific Railroad, among others.

It also includes a $5,000 payment to Iris Schenk, who was living in a rental home that burned in the fire.

Tim Heuker, who owned the rental home with his brothers, told Oregon Public Broadcasting that Schenk had suffered a total loss:

’She lost everything,’ Heuker said. ’Personal stuff that can’t be replaced.’

Heuker said making the teen pay for the damage he caused is the right thing. He’s not sure whether he’ll actually receive any payments given the amount other parties are seeking.

’I think they’re going to try to prioritize stuff, and put stuff like ours more on the front end,’ he said. ’I’m not 100 percent clear on that.’

https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/05/22/613374984/judge-orders-boy-who-started-oregon-wildfire-to-pay-36-million-in-restitution

In February, the teen admitted to eight counts of reckless burning of public and private property, two counts of depositing burning material on forest land, and counts of second-degree criminal mischief and recklessly endangering another hiker. He was sentenced to five years of probation and 1,920 hours of community service with the U.S. Forest Service

He was also ordered to write apology letters to 152 people who because of the flames were trapped on the Eagle Creek trail, as well as to the city of Cascade Locks, the Forest Service, Oregon State Parks, the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs, and the state’s transportation department, among other groups.

The fire endangered popular landmarks such as Multnomah Falls and destroyed the Oneonta Tunnel on the Historic Columbia River Highway, about 30 miles east of Portland. It forced hundreds of people to evacuate to cities between Portland and Hood River, Ore., closed Interstate 84 for 10 days, and threatened 5,000 homes and buildings, according to the Oregonian. At least four homes were destroyed.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/05/21/teen-who-started-massive-oregon-wildfire-with-fireworks-must-pay-36-million-judge-rules/

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