Malheur Nat. Forest burn boss indicted for reckless burning
By Logan Bagett on Monday, February 5th, 2024 in Eastern/Southeast Oregon News More Top Stories
CANYON CITY – The following is a press release in full from Grant County District Attorney, Jim Carpenter:
(Press Release from the Grant County District Attorney’s Office)
The Grant County Sheriff, Todd McKinley, arrested Rick Snodgrass, a USFS employee and prescribed burn crew boss, on Oct. 19, 2022, for reckless burning.
On that day, the USFS was conducting a controlled burn that escaped the prescribed burn area. Several acres of timbered ground belonging to an adjacent private ranch were burned before the fire could be put out. Many factors hindered the investigation. However, Sheriff McKinley was able to complete the investigation and present it to the DA’s office for review.
On February 2, 2024, the case was presented to a grand jury for consideration. The grand jury returned an indictment against Ricky Snodgrass for Reckless Burning, ORS 164.335, a class A misdemeanor.
Arraignment is scheduled for March 4, 2024 at 1:00pm.
Per Carpenter, “It is anticipated that this case will proceed through the court system like any other class A misdemeanor. While this case remains pending, the State will have no other comment on the matter.”
