Homeless Man Arrested After Fire on Bear Creek Greenway in Phoenix

Phoenix, Oregon- A man was arrested Wednesday evening after allegedly attempting to start a fire along the Bear Creek Greenway near the N Phoenix Road Bridge, authorities said.

At approximately 7:27 p.m. on May 15, officers responded to multiple reports of a homeless male lighting items on fire in the dry grass. Witnesses observed the man and remained on scene to direct police to his location.

Officers located the man walking away from the area allegedly holding a smoldering stick. He was quickly detained, and the stick was extinguished. Following an investigation, police said the man admitted to using a lighter to try to start a fire while attempting to burn trash on the dry grass.

Evidence of a small, successfully ignited fire was found, but due to a witness’s quick action, the spread was limited to a relatively small area.

The suspect was arrested and lodged at the Jackson County Jail for second-degree disorderly conduct and reckless burning. Police noted that he was a “Quick Book,” meaning he was released shortly after officers completed the booking process. This was due to continued overcrowding at the Jackson County Jail.

“Thank you to the witnesses who called in and stayed nearby to help our officers quickly take the suspect into custody and lead our fire fighters to check the area to prevent any further spread to the rest of the greenway!” the department said in a statement. “This call is the exact reason why we continue to share our dedicated efforts to keeping our city safe and holding offenders accountable for littering, dumping, burning and camping in order to ensure fires don’t start (especially as summer rapidly approaches).”