Prospect Man Arrested for Allegedly Starting Wildfire

Prospect, Oregon- A Prospect-area transient has been arrested for allegedly starting a wildfire in rural Jackson County, authorities said.

Allen Lee Bicknell, 51, was taken into custody Thursday, June 19, by Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) deputies after he briefly barricaded himself inside a residence in the 44000 block of Highway 62. Deputies arrested Bicknell without incident at 12:32 p.m., the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

Bicknell is charged with first-degree arson and reckless burning. A Jackson County Grand Jury indicted him on all charges Tuesday morning. He is currently being held at the Jackson County Jail.

The incident began Wednesday, June 18, at approximately 1:57 p.m., when firefighters with the Oregon Department of Forestry (ODF) responded to a wildfire in the Red Blanket Road area east of Prospect. During their initial attack, which successfully limited the fire to approximately two acres, an ODF firefighter reported seeing a man—later identified as Bicknell—acting suspiciously near the scene. The suspect fled on foot.

JCSO deputies responded to assist with firefighting efforts and launched an investigation that led to Bicknell’s identification and arrest the following day.

The case remains under investigation by both JCSO and the Oregon Department of Forestry. Authorities said no further information is available at this time.