Suspect At Large After Arson Charges Filed For The 18,200 Acre Larch Creek Fire In Oregon.
Ignited the fire while squatting on someone's property. $14M in damages.
On July 9th, the Larch Creek Fire ignited in Wasco County near Friend, Oregon. The Sheriff's Department ordered evacuations, and Governor Tina Kotek invoked the Emergency Conflagration Act for the incident.
Just this week, investigators finished their work, and a Grand Jury indicted 51-year-old Christopher Mennealy, including charges of Arson in the Second Degree. The total damages from the fire hit $14M after 18,000+ acres burned. According to investigators, Mennealy was squatting on someone’s property and allegedly started the fire sometime on July 9th.
Mennealy, who was scheduled to appear in court on September 16th, didn’t show up, and an arrest warrant has been issued in connection with the Larch Creek Fire.
This is now one of a few fires in Oregon that have been determined to be arson this year. In July, a multi-agency investigation, including the Bureau of Land Management, Oregon State Fire Marshal, Malheur County Sheriff's Office, and Oregon State Police, asked for the public’s help to identify how the Cow Valley Fire and others started in the Malheur Reservoir area. A reward has been offered for any information leading to an arrest. The Cow Valley Fire alone burned over 133,000 acres.
Oregon has surpassed the previous record number of acres burned this fire season, with 1.9M confirmed acres torched.
Here is the full press release for the warrant:
Today, Wasco County District Attorney Matthew Ellis announced Christopher Mennealy (51) has been indicted for crimes involving the ignition of the Larch Creek Fire.
On September 4, 2024, the Grand Jury indicted Mennealy for Arson in the Second Degree and Reckless Burning. The fire began on July 9, 2024, near Friend, OR, in Wasco County, where Mennealy was squatting on another's property. Within 10 days, the fire burned an estimated 18,286 acres and had suppression costs totaling over $14 million.
Mennealy was scheduled to appear for arraignment on the indictment the morning of September 16, 2024. He failed to appear for his court date, and a warrant was issued for his arrest. Mennealy is currently at large.
A charging instrument is only an accusation of a crime. Mennealy is innocent unless and until proven guilty.
This case is currently being handled by District Attorney Matthew Ellis.
No additional information is available for release at this time.
Many residents in Oregon have been vocal about squatters and encampments around the state and the hazards they create when it comes to wildfires. There have been numerous reports of fires starting from encampments so far this year, including the Mile Marker 132 Fire and the Darlene 3 Fire, which burned 3,000 acres in La Pine, Oregon.
Darlene 3 Fire: 👇
Mennealy remains at large in connection with the Larch Creek Fire. Oregon has had quite the fire season so far.
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