Thursday February 24, 2005 4:31 AM
REDDING, Calif. (AP) - A lost hunter who started a forest fire in
northern California while trying to keep warm was ordered to pay $18.2
million in restitution Wednesday.
The fire in the Mendocino National Forest burned 6,058 acres and cost $33
million to suppress, authorities said. The restitution covers the U.S.
Forest Service's cost of fighting the fire and restoring the burned area,
prosecutors said.
Jason Hoskey, 26, of Willows, lit a campfire when he got lost hunting on
Sept. 27, 2003. The fire spread after he fell asleep.
Flames had been banned in the area because of extreme fire danger.
Prosecutors said Hoskey also violated the ban by smoking several
cigarettes.
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