COLUMBIANA COUNTY Forest fire situation remains unclear

By NORMAN LEIGH
VINDICATOR SALEM BUREAU
LISBON -- It's been more than two months since a forest fire damaged nearly 80 acres of woodlands in southwestern Columbiana County, and the matter remains under investigation.
Right now, it's unclear whether criminal charges will be brought in the case, Columbiana County Prosecutor Robert Herron said Monday.
After reviewing the results of an Ohio Division of Forestry probe into the April 15 blaze, Herron said he agrees with foresters' preliminary findings that the fire was not arson.
But Herron would say little about how the blaze did occur.
"It appears a fire was ignited without the intention of spreading it," Herron said.
He would not, however, characterize the forest fire as an act of negligence.
Investigating more
More investigation is needed, he said, to determine why the fire was set, he added.
So far, no testimony has been brought before a grand jury, as frequently happens when investigators are preparing a felony criminal case.
Herron refused to comment when asked if criminal charges eventually will be filed in the matter.
If misdemeanor charges are sought, it would not be necessary to present evidence before a grand jury.
Although the fire is not an arson, there are laws against open burning.
The blaze charred hundreds of trees in a rural tract in a remote, rugged region of Wayne and Franklin townships, west of Hull Road.
Nearly 200 firefighters from throughout the county and some from Jefferson and Carroll counties were needed to extinguish the blaze.
The fire was fueled by high winds and dry vegetation after days of no rain.
No injuries were reported.
Some timber and a camper in the woods were destroyed by flames.
A forestry official has said he expects the burned area to recover through a natural reforestation process.