An 11-year-old boy is facing felony arson charges after allegedly starting a brush fire that burned down multiple structures in Beaver Creek near Camp Verde.
The fire was started at around 1:40 p.m. on May 22 at the now-defunct Beaver Creek Golf Course near Camp Verde, according to a statement issued by the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office.
Due to high winds, the blaze spread onto private property, destroying ashed, a gazebo, trees and beehives, damaging a fence and threatening a home within 20 feet, according to Copper Canyon Fire and Medical District Battalion Chief Dan Elliott.
“As the wind kicked up it spread with the direction of the wind, which ended up on some property owners out in Lake Montezuma,” he said.
The fire consumed just under 6 acres of property, causing over $30,000 in damages.
Copper Canyon Fire and Medical, U.S. Forest Service and Verde Valley Fire District crews responded to the scene and successfully contained the fire, despite the windy conditions, in just under 5 hours, Elliott said.
Through the course of the ensuing investigation, YCSO deputies were able to determine that the fire was intentionally started by an 11-year-old boy, whose name has not been released because of his age, according to the YCSO statement.
Witnesses told investigators they saw three boys playing with aerosol cans and a lighter in the area just before the blaze ignited. Two of the boys tried to stop the third boy allegedly responsible for the fire and tried to put the flames out before they spread out of control.
The juvenile is facing multiple felony charges, including arson of a structure, criminal damage and endangerment in addition to a misdemeanor charge for reckless burning.
“We truly hope this 11-year-old learned his lesson. Wildland crews and firefighters put their lives on the line to protect the residents in our community. YCSO is going to holding those responsible accountable,” Sheriff David Rhodes said in the statement.
The sheriff’s office warned that brushfires can start and spread quickly in the midst of wildfire season and asked the public to be cautious and consider the dangers of brush fires to the community
