Click here to subscribe today or Login.
HARRISBURG — Officials announced today they are increasing the reward offered in the ongoing investigation of an arson that scorched more than 8,000 acres of woodlands on the Monroe-Pike county line earlier this spring.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources’ (DCNR) Bureau of Forestry announced in a news release a reward totaling $15,000 is being offered for information leading to arrests and convictions in, what investigators say, were two intentionally-set fires.
Labeled the 16 Mile and Beartown fires, the wildfires were discovered on April 20 and burned through May 2 in Delaware State Forest.
Michael Kern, chief of the bureau’s Division of Forest Fire Protection, explained a landowner affect by the fire increased his portion of the reward.
“A private landowner affected by the 16 Mile Fire is increasing his reward to $10,000, adding $5,000 to his already offered reward,” Kern said in the news release. “Coupled with DCNR’s standing reward offer of $5,000, we’re hoping this increased anonymous donation will spur some new leads in our investigation.”
Kern added that efforts to fight the fires included $2 million, more then 100 bureau personnel and local, state and federal personnel.
The Smokey Bear Hotshot firefighting team from New Mexico was also brought in to fight the fires.
A Delaware State Forest cabin colony was evacuated and multiple state forest roads were closed during the fires, which burned two leased cabins, three seasonal homes and six outbuildings. One firefighter received a minor injury.
Information that could lead to the reward can be forwarded to bureau Special Investigator Terry Smith at 717-362-1472, at 570-895-4000 or by email at [email protected].
Anonymous tips also will be accepted but do not qualify for the reward.