THE COLVIN CREEK FIRE up in the Woodland area, which burned through more than 100 acres, was declared contained on Fri., July 24. Three men were arrested July 25 for allegedly starting the fire by shooting propane bottles with firearms.
WOODLAND – Early the morning of July 25, Cowlitz County sheriff’s deputies announced that they had arrested three Vancouver men for allegedly starting the Colvin Creek Fire off of Frederickson Road, east of Woodland, which began Sun., July 19.
Cowlitz Sheriff Deputy Lorenzo Gladson arrested Michael J. Estrada-Cardenas, 22, Nathan C. Taylor, 21, and Adrian D. Taylor, 23, all of Vancouver. All three have been booked in the Cowlitz County Jail for Reckless Burning in the first degree, which is a class “C” felony. They are currently being held without bail, pending a first court appearance.
Gladson and Senior Fire Investigator Albert Kassel of the Washington State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) worked together to solve the cause of the fire and apprehended the suspects. According to a news release from the Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, the was case was solved by a combination of analyzing evidence found at the scene and information from interviews with several people, helping them identify the three men.
According to the news release, the fire was started when the suspects shot four 16-ounce propane bottles with firearms – a .223 calibre A/R rifle, a 12-gauge shotgun and a 9mm pistol. The .223 calibre A/R rifle was seized as evidence. The suspects told investigators that they brought the propane bottles from Vancouver up to the woods off of Frederickson Road to shoot them. According to the news release, they said that when they shot the bottles of propane the fire started. They said they then put the flames out and left, even though there were small burning embers still on the ground.
The Colvin Creek Fire was first reported the afternoon of July 19. After burning through more than 100 acres, the fire was declared contained on Fri., July 24. The fire did not threaten any structures.
