Man Started 20,000 Acre Wildfire With Burning Toilet Paper

Man Started 20,000 Acre Wildfire With Burning Toilet Paper

20,000 Acre Fire Was No Accident…

(UnitedHeadlines.com) – Authorities have arrested a man accused of causing the more than 20,000-acre wildfire in Arizona. A witness spotted the suspect rapidly driving away from one of the fires raging in the Coconino National Forest. The man admitted to authorities that he had been burning his toilet paper after relieving himself in the woods.

Court documents indicate that authorities stopped 57-year-old Matthew Riser after a witness claimed they saw him leave the scene of what’s now the Pipeline Fire. Fox10 reported the fire has spread to 24,815 acres, with firefighters only having it 27% contained at the time of this publication. Riser admitted to placing burning toilet paper under a rock, believing it would just fizzle out.

Riser told authorities that he had not seen the “no campfires” signs until he was already leaving the park. He explained he had camped a few nights at the park because he’s homeless and travels. Riser also showed authorities where he had camped, roughly 80 yards from where the Pipeline Fire started.

This story goes to show that whenever people go camping, they need to be sure to leave no trace of their stay behind, taking out what they put into the environment. This rule is especially true when it comes to fires — always ensure the flame is completely extinguished before leaving a campsite. Or, perhaps, don’t burn items in restricted areas.

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