Baker City Man Arrested for Illegally Harvesting Firewood

By Joe Hathaway on Monday, August 28th, 2023 in More Top Stories Northeastern Oregon News

BAKER CITY — Baker City Police recently arrested a man they say was illegally harvesting and taking firewood out of a forest, and it wasn’t the first time.

36-year-old Justin Lee Kasinger of Baker City was arrested after a traffic stop on Highway 7 near Mitchell Avenue on Thursday, August 24.

Kasinger and his passenger in the vehicle, 33-year-old Samantha Kay, were both arrested and charged with illegal taking of forest products. Kasinger was also cited for driving while revoked and his vehicle was impounded.

Police say they’ve received numerous complaints about Kasinger reportedly taking firewood from nearby forestlands.

Kasinger was previously arrested in April for the same crime.

The charge is a B misdemeanor and carries a maximum penalty of a $2,500 fine and six months in jail.

Baker Police was assisted by the U.S. Forest Service.