An Ohio man was sentenced to prison this week for starting dozens of fires in Wayne National Forest. James A. Bartels of Rio Grande, Ohio, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for starting 26 fires in the national forest in 2022, according to a news release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of Ohio.
Prosecutors said 1,300 acres of federal and state land were burned during the blazes, resulting in more than $638,000 in expenses. At the time of the blazes, Bartels was working as an administrator at the Greenfield Township Volunteer Fire Department and was also serving as police officer. Eyewitness News reported Bartels admitted to starting the fires with a lighter to “give the boys something to do” and to distract himself from his depression, according to prosecutors. As part of his sentence, Bartels was ordered to pay $638,000 in restitution.