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by ronhoon from Fox 10 in Phoenix

Last Post 2 days, 14 hours Ago


CHARGE SIGNAL FIRE STARTERS
Jun 30, 2008 | 9:10 AM
Category: News
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Here we go again.  Hikers who get themselves lost decide to set a fire to announce to anyone looking for them, where they can be found.  We all remember when it happened several years ago, and ignited what eventually grew into the worst wildfire in our state's history.  The loss of forest lands in the Rodeo-Chedeski fire was so great, that some areas will not return to their prior state during our lifetimes.  The homes of many, many Arizonans were destroyed as well.

Now, the Lane Two fire rages in the mountains near Crown King.  It appears that hikers set the fire because they got lost.  I realize that accidents happen, but if you are going out hiking or camping, you have an obligation to take enough care that you don't get lost or stranded.  That's where the irresponsibility starts.  If you are not prepared with enough in the way of water, maps, and other items of survival, don't go out in the first place! 

But then to set a fire in the hottest, windiest time of year...meaning June, July,and August...when you know what can happen...moves beyond just irresponsibility.  Now, you are talking about the homes and the lives of hundreds of people being placed in danger.

We cannot afford to lose another thousand acres (let alone 400,000 acres as with Rodeo-Chedeski) to a man made fire...set for any reason.

I believe that anyone who sets a fire in Arizona's national forest lands...even if they think it will solve the problem they got themselves into...should be charged with the cost of fighting that fire.  That could become a staggering amount of money, but will be only a fraction of the cost, if you add it up, of the homes lost, forest land destroyed, and lives changed by a fire that rages out of control.

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Member Comments Total Comments: 22
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PowerFox read my blog
Jun 30, 2008 | 11:17 AM

I agree 100% Ron

"I believe that anyone who sets a fire in Arizona's national forest lands...even if they think it will solve the problem they got themselves into...should be charged with the cost of fighting that fire. That could become a staggering amount of money, but will be only a fraction of the cost, if you add it up, of the homes lost, forest land destroyed, and lives changed by a fire that rages out of control."
KenOfAZ read my blog view my photos
Jun 30, 2008 | 11:38 AM

I agree with you Ron.
With a litle work (clearing an area away from trees, circling rocks around the area,etc) a SMALL SAFE signal fire could have been made. People on fire watch would have seen it and investigated. The hikers would have been found. My guess is that they just started a fire in a wooded area with no effort to contain it to an area where it couldn't spread.
aksjfd read my blog
Jun 30, 2008 | 12:13 PM

Especially when every good backpacker knows that a GPS costs less than $100. Heck, mine, with all the bells and whistles, cost about $250. It's a lot cheaper than starting a fire.

ANd not only that, this just doesn't make sense. All one has to do is build a contained fire that has a larger radius. Both times that we've lit a big fire, we were visisted by the Forest SErvice because they saw the smoke. THey just asked that we put it out before we left. No biggie and really easy. I just can't understand how they let this get so out of control.

Yep, they should be charged for the fire and thier rescue.
RDJVZ read my blog
Jun 30, 2008 | 12:57 PM

A CD works great for a distress signal and costs a lot less then the thousand or sometimes millions it costs to fight a fire. Why should these people be charged? The last moron that started part of the biggest fire in history wasn't. I do think they should have to be on the front lines helping. If they burn up, well oops shite happens.
SWhite79 read my blog view my photos
Jun 30, 2008 | 2:45 PM

Excellent post, Ron. These people go hiking in unfamiliar terrorities without maps or enough water when it's 110 degrees outside and dry as can be, and predictably they get into trouble, and the next thing you know, people's houses are going up in flames and the state has to spend a ton of money to put the fire out. It's ridiculous, they need to start holding them accountable.
DMG2FUN read my blog
Jul 1, 2008 | 10:50 AM

Just because a person fears their life is in danger does not dismiss them from being held accountable if their actions harm others.
When a person uses deadly force to defend themself and an innocent bystanders is harmed or killed. That person is held responsible for their actions.
simonk read my blog
Jul 1, 2008 | 11:11 AM

Throw the book at this moron. Also get a civil judgment and seize whatever assets he or she has to help offset the cost of fighting the fire and compensate the the evacuees for any expenses or losses.
worldlyone read my blog
Jul 1, 2008 | 1:21 PM

Unfortunately, a precedent has been set when they did nothing to that air-head that started the western portion of the Rodeo-Chediski fire, who also claimed to be lost. She wasn't even hiking but, her and her boss were fooling around in the woods. They threw the book at the guy who started the Rodeo portion of that fire. Have the statutes of limitations run out on her? That happend in 2002 so there still may be time to get her and this latest bozo convicted and fined to offset the cost of fighting these fires..
hockeymom read my blog
Jul 1, 2008 | 4:05 PM

Lets all just hope and pray that the fire fighters remain safe while fighting this very un-natural fire. I think these people should have to pay the price. Not just the cost of the fire fight itself, but for all the structures/homes that have been destroyed.

We have the stupid motorist law, we should get a stupid hiker law.
nowmd
Jul 2, 2008 | 3:53 PM

Why dont they CHARGE the people who lied us into war? Those people are responsible for millions of deaths, the destruction of a country and spending trillions of our tax dollars we have even paid out yet. Those people also made laws taking some of our GOD GIVEN rights away. (They think they are above GOD) But instead you still worship these people. OBAMA & McCAIN voted YES on the FISA bill. SO WHY ARENT YOU DEMANDING THEY BE CHARGED WITH SOMETHING? Do you want to be FREE or be a MINION? So far its very clear what you agree with and dissent against. I havent seen you once complain about your freedoms being STOLEN from you, so I think you want to be a minion, somebodies B***** 1st you got to get mad, maybe one day HOON will do this ????

nowmd
Jul 2, 2008 | 4:06 PM

What we accept today is 100% the oppose of what is said by a person the people caring out these opposite policies say they admire. Thats george orwel double speak, and the ones who can stop it arent. Hoon your giving a voice, america, arizona needs you to use that opportunity, here is a reminder of what was said.

nowmd
Jul 2, 2008 | 4:13 PM

..... " There is a very Grave danger, that an announced need for increased SECURITY, will be seized upon to the very limits of official censorship and concealment.


Cuz of terrorism, the gov says we need to give up our liberties in exchange for security.

"SO THEY CAN PROTECT OUR FREEDOM & KEEP US SAFE"

Give up your liberties to protect your freedom.

liberties and freedom are the same thing, so give up your freedom to protect your freedom is what they are wanting up to do which doesnt make sence and is all a word manipulation trick,
AND YOU BOUGHT IT,
You got ripped off so stand up and say something about it.
aznorthstar read my blog view my photos
Jul 2, 2008 | 5:51 PM

I can be charged and assessed the fee if I drive into a flooded area during monsoons. It is because I should know better than to drive into an area that is FLOODED!

The same common sense is needed while hiking. If you are in a tinder box and start a fire, the chances of that fire growing out of control is extremely high. There are signs across the land that tells me the fire danger. And if I decide to light a fire, just as I decide to enter a flooded wash, I take responsibility for my actions. I am charged and I pay for the rescue.

There is no difference. A lack of common sense does not remove the liability of my actions. How many firefighters are in the Lane 2 fire area? Each one of the brave men and women are risking injury and death.

They should pay at the least. And charged at the most!
Kim_S read my blog view my photos
Jul 3, 2008 | 6:44 AM

Click here for more information on the story!
Valleyman read my blog
Jul 3, 2008 | 6:53 AM

People in desperate situations sometimes are forced to use desperate measures , Hind sight is always 20/20 I am sure they did not anticipate the aftermath so please stop trying to crucify these people! Tom from Peoria
WD73
Jul 3, 2008 | 6:57 AM

Have to disagree Ron. Unexpected events happen, and if I felt it was my only option I would do the same thing. And to make them liable for the cost of the fire is just ridiculous - always has been, always will be. One more example of our litigous, entitlement mentality society.
What possible good will it do to dump that kind of debt on people who can never HOPE to make restitution? No humanity left in this world - just people who want to feel superior until they're in the same predicament.
WD73
Jul 3, 2008 | 7:05 AM

I see a lot of people commenting on the lack of common sense displayed by these people. That need for superiority rearing its ugly head yet again. When you're on vacation and decide to take a hike, how much do you actually know about the area you're in? Who spends their vacation researching and preparing, then spends a small fortune on gear in case of ALL eventualities. If you do see a psychiatrist.... Naturally, if they're local, you'd expect more common sense.
billwhite2
Jul 3, 2008 | 11:01 AM

I agree with Ron Hoon. I'm sure these people were concerned about being lost. However, it's not like they were in the middle of the Sahara Desert; they were a few miles from Crown King. If they had used their heads, they could have notified rescuers without building a fire.
n7mk
Jul 3, 2008 | 10:52 PM

Hooner is absolutely spot on. They should have been prepared. That includes having maps, a GPS, a signaling mirror, and planning. A cellphone probably would work in most areas where they were, too. Or at least they could have found an area where it would have. Also, there are small personal distress satellite radios (Personal Locator Beacons) available these days, too. The fire they started could very easily have harmed or killed someone (still could). I'm sure it's harmed and killed lots of wildlife. Let alone the property damage its caused. There really is no excuse for irresponsibly setting a forest fire for a situation like this.
n7mk
Jul 3, 2008 | 10:56 PM

nowmd's posts are completely irrelevant here. What a doofus. He should be banned.
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ronhoon

I anchor Fox 10 Arizona Morning 5-9 AM. I am a Dad of three great kids who at 26, 22, and 19 are all grown up now. Our family lives in Mesa. I love reading to Valley school kids, and am also involved in the fight against diabetes. I've been on the air in Phoenix for 25 years.

Member Since: 9/1/2006


 

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