Colorado Wildfire May Have Been Intentionally Set

The New York Times ^ | June 19, 2002 | Michael Janofsky

[Tuor]

Don't forget that there are some dead firefighters for her to answer. This is homicide, now.

Really? Who? When? Where?

I think you're thinking about the air tanker that crashed. That didn't happen at that fire, but in California. This fire is in Colorado.

No one, as yet, has died fighting the fire that this woman caused, intentionally or not.

Tuor

[Tuor]

Second, even if the value of controlled, small burns were known, it would probably be too expensive for small land owners to do it on a large scale.

The Los Alamos fire a while back was the result of a controlled burn gone awry. OTOH, they would *never* have conducted a controlled burn in the sort of conditions that currently exist in Colorado.

Tuor

[cousair]

From day one, after it was discovered she started the fire, people were covering for this woman. The love letter fire buring sounded fixed, mainly because when they they locked her up, it was reported they had her under WATCH. I sure hope so because thousands of folks have lost land, animals and homes. I agree with one home owner who stated they would like to get at the person who started this. Now we find it was intentional.

[ValerieUSA]

Her burning letter story is just another lie. She set the fire on purpose. Only a dope would have believed this lame story.
No man is going to write such a long "get lost" letter that a forester with a shovel couldn't put out the fire as it burned. No woman is going to angrily set a letter ablaze, only to walk away and let it smolder... the satisfaction is in watching it burn until it is gone.

[cousair]

I guess not, and her new FEDERAL POSITION will be in jail, thank goodness. With Federal workers like this, America doesn't need any more enemies.

[Stand Watch Listen]

She thought she made all the right moves but failed to become a hero. The back-up story failed to gain her any sympathy.

Ahhhhhh...but the NOW organization (you remember them...the 'one free grope' association) is coming to her rescue. FYI...

Drunken Husband Indicted As Complicit In Hayman CO Fire; NOW Applauds
Source: Toogood Reports; Published: June 19, 2002;
Author: Gerald L. Rowles, Ph.D.

[thucydides]

The Los Alamos fire was started during high wind, drought conditions. It burned 200 homes in Los Alamos. The perpetrator (government official), a long time resident, moved away rather than continue to face his neighbors after this act of incredible bureaucratic stupidity. Notwithstanding such events, millions of Americans believe that government is the ideal way to manage any supposed problem.

[Tuor]

The perpetrator (government official), a long time resident, moved away rather than continue to face his neighbors after this act of incredible bureaucratic stupidity.

I have to admit it is something only the Feds would have the stupidity to do. No private company would dare to attempt a controlled burn under such conditions and, in fact, in Washington, the state Dept of Natural Resources determines when such activities are authorized and when they're not, and woe to the company that burns on a no-burn day. However, the State, obviously, can't stop the Feds from doing that, either in Washington or in New Mexico.

Tuor

Give me liberty or give me death.

[thucydides]

The story about the letter being burned carefully in the fireplace ring was obviously nonsense, even before it was revealed that this was a backup story. One wonders about the real motivation. Women are rarely pyromaniacs. Perhaps it was enviro-wacko sabotage, or a desire to get the Forest Service budget increased.

[gwynapnudd]

The abused woman defense is already kicking into gear. They always find some way to blame the ex-husband.

Ex-husband letter blamed for fire

[DemoSmear]

I take it that you're in Colorado too from your post. Yesterday, I made a trip to Florissant to deliver a truckload of stuff for the firefighters.

It was such a humbling experience, driving through Woodland Park, seeing the great effort of all those fighting this thing. Red Cross vans and trucks all over town; buses in the Safeway parking lot there just for the evacuees in case the line breaks; firefighters scrambling every which way...

But, when I got to the volunteer fire station in Florissant I was not prepared at all for the scene. Firefighters with burns, a huge support staff refueling them with supplies and stuff, firefighters in desperate need of rest going back out on their trucks.

Like I said, a lesson in humility. These guys and gals are incredible heroes.

The tone up there re: Ms. Barton was an unspoken outrage. You could cut the air with it. They simply were in disbelief that one of their own could do this.

Seeing the fire up close- I'm at a complete loss of words to describe the devastation. Like you (I'm sure), the biggest feeling is just one of sadness- almost depression of all that we've lost and that which is now very threatened. Going back up on Tuesday with another load.

Hope you and yours are safe.

[r9etb]

Not only from Colorado, but from the Springs, as well.

I live in town and am safe from the fires. I know some people who are in or near the evacuation zones, though, and I also know a number of firefighters who are probably hard at work up there.

Thank you for helping them out.

[DemoSmear]

I'm in Broadmoor Bluffs so we're rated extreme fire danger. I've been busy cutting back trees, shrubs, etc. Glad to hear you're "safe", if anyone really is...

The guys and gals yesterday were very appreciative. There are countless people doing the same for them. The community has really come together, it's great to see. :)

[DemoSmear]

Army joins firefighting effort.

NOTE: above link also contains information for volunteering, donations and assorted Hayman Fire information.

[pyx]

Investigators have not determined why Ms. Barton would have ignited a fire at a time when a ban against open fires was in effect because of persistent warm and dry weather.

Ms. Barton should be investigated for any ties to ENVIRO-WHACKO groups.

[Kryptonite]

I think that if she did it intentionally, adversely affected citizens can sue the USA! I'm not certain but doubt there is immunity for intentional acts on the part of gov. employees.

[Elsie]

As a curious Hoosier (here in Indiana, we've been getting the rain you so BADLY need...), how close to the park is the fire?

I went through there a few years ago, looking at the petrified stumps and hiking the trails and marveling at the yurts.

[Drew68]

Ms. Barton, a seasonal employee of the Forest Service for 18 years

Is it possible that she started the fire in an effort to heighten the concern over fires and possibly receive a full time position or at least some overtime pay driving around looking for illegal campfires?

I've read it is rare but not at all uncommon for firefighters to start fires in order to receive overtime and hazard pay.

[Drew68]

I'm not certain but doubt there is immunity for intentional acts on the part of gov. employees.

Unfortunately this exists. An article in yesterday's local paper (either the Rocky Mountain News or the Denver Post --I can't remember which) claimed that the federal government can't be held liable for this.

[Mamzelle]

re: California, not Colorado, site of air tanker crash.

(blush) Please to excuse. The two stories followed on each other so quickly, I confused them.