Forest Ranger Assaulted Responding To Wildfire; Property Owner Arrested

Forest Ranger Assaulted Responding ToWildfire; Property Owner Arrested

27 November 2006

USA — A forest ranger technician for the Kentucky Division of Forestry wasassaulted Sunday while responding to a wildfire in Cumberland County, accordingto a release from the Environmental and Public Protection Cabinet.

According to the release, Ranger Ken Brown was dispatched to a fire onSulphur Creek Road near Burkesville. When he attempted to put the fire out, theproperty owner, Todd Anderson, refused to let Brown control the fire. Andersonordered Brown off the property, then struck him with a metal pipe. Andersonalso broke a window and damaged a door on Brown’s KDF truck.

Brown left the property and called for law enforcement assistance. CumberlandCounty sheriff’s officers arrested Anderson on charges of third-degree assault,a felony, and interfering with a forest warden. In addition, the KDF issueda citation against Anderson for failing to take reasonable care and precautionto prevent the escape or spread of a fire.

“We are very concerned about the safety of our firefighters. This isjust another example of how dangerous this job is,” KDF Director LeahMacSwords said.

Brown was treated at a local hospital and released.

24. November 2017/by GFMCadmin