The Wenatchee World Online
Investigators determine vehicle caused Badger Mountain fire
By Michelle McNiel
World staff writer
Posted July 16, 2008

EAST WENATCHEE — The Douglas County Sheriff's Office is looking for any information on vehicles that may have been driving in the area where the Badger Mountain Fire started last week.



A state fire investigator has determined that the blaze was started by vehicle exhaust in a remote location about a half-mile east of Highway 2/97 near Lincoln Rock. The ignition site was above a Bonneville Power Administration substation and underneath power lines. The vehicle or vehicles would have been in the area between 3 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. on July 8.


"Right now, we don't know if there was any criminal behavior involved," said Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal.


He said the Sheriff's Office would like to find out if the vehicle was trespassing on private property and if the driver knew of the fire and left the scene without reporting it. Gjesdal said there are rough dirt roads in the area that run up to and underneath the power lines.


The fire investigator for the state Department of Natural Resources believes it would take a pickup truck to reach the area where the fire started, Gjesdal said.


The fire threatened hundreds of homes and prompted mandatory evacuations. It destroyed Douglas County PUD and Chelan County PUD lines and poles, wheat fields, a few vehicles and outbuildings and some chicken coops. As of Wednesday morning, the estimated cost of fighting the fire was $2.57 million, according to the National Interagency Fire Center.


Anyone with information about any vehicles that may have been in the area prior to the fire starting is asked to call the Sheriff's Office at 884-0941.


COMMENTS

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First off "J. S." it wasn't a 20 day fire. And it didn't cost 15 million. Get your facts straight...

Second off, I feel horrible about what happened. I have spoke to students about not only fire dangers, but other parts of life that are a danger. I pay my monthly dues, did my community service and my House Arrest. I performed more than what the system asked for. I also made it a point to not even be in the Country for the fourth this year. Ironically I was driving home from up North when the Badger Mountain fire started.

I ask you this J.S... Do you know me? Do you know what I've been through? Or do you get your facts from the same media that refused to tell the truth, or even report when something went well in my case.

If you would like to meet me, have a cup of coffee, or come over to my house for dinner and learn what kind of man I am. Please, feel free... I would love to show you the facts about my case, and how the system built to protect us instead always finds a way to deceive us.

Justice for my actions although were fair in the Judges eyes, and even mine due to the legalities of it. I would still rather had served for FREE on a Hot Shot Crew this summer, than picked up trash. I am not complaining, just pointing out the real facts. What are they going to do with a person that was driving and accidentally started a fire? Accidents happen. I am very remorseful and feel HORRIBLE about my own. I can not speak for someone else. But can say that not a day goes by I don't think about what I did, although an accident, I still ponder every day how my life would be different had I not gone to play a sport that day, had I not pulled the string on a flameless smoke grenade.

Again, I ask you... Feel free to contact me, my number is in the phone book. I would love to meet you, and explain what has really happened.

My case was not special. But accidents, come on... They will happen. And what good will it do to pin someone for an accident, except give them a HUGE attorney bill, a life long fear and harassment from people who only get there information from the Media, and don't know the facts.

Try shopping and being asked "Hey, aren't you the guy that started the fire?" because your picture was on the front page 8 times. I live with that everyday. I get stuff everyday. I'm not introduced as CPL Daniel Griffin of the United States Army who honorably served his country twice in Iraq. I get to be labeled an arsonist, all because of an accident.

You have children? Imagine how you would feel when your child went from a great young man, to "the fire starter."

Want the facts about these things? Go sit in on the trial of the person they accuse of this, then read the paper that night. You'll see you get only half the story, and it's the half that people like you want to hear, because it's not the truth.

Trust me, I know.
Daniel Griffin | Jul 17, 2008 1:06 am | Request Removal
I would think that someone responsible for a 20 day fire that cost $15 million (Mr. Griffin) would have taken his part in it to heart and would be encouraging others to do the same, instead of continuing to try to put the blame on others.

Take responsibility for your actions! It is really the only right thing to do.
J S | Jul 16, 2008 8:28 pm | Request Removal
What about the transformer that had the side blown out and the Shell Station employees who heard an explosion on the Mtn a few mintues before the fire was reported?
W Jones | Jul 16, 2008 8:11 pm | Request Removal
With the most due respect to those that have investigated this fire...

"Right now, we don't know if there was any criminal behavior involved," said Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal.

It doesn't matter if it was criminal or not. They are just looking for even an accident to blame it on. Trust me. I know. Even had they stuck around and called 911 they still would be blamed and charged (and convicted by the press before they even went to trial).

So if you do have information, although it would be great to solve the case, think about the crap they will put this person through if they find out. Over what these investigators them selfs have said wasn't necessarily purposeful or a crime. They will still find a way to blame some one. Gotta have a scape Goat! You watch. God forbid an accident be an accident!



Trust me, I KNOW!
Daniel Griffin | Jul 16, 2008 7:46 pm | Request Removal
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