The Cost of Being Lost in California

[Nemont]

Make sure if you ever get lost and drowsy in California that you don't start a campfire.

Hunter fined $18 million for forest fire

Blaze started when he fell asleep by illegal campfireThe Associated Press
Updated: 10:02 a.m. ET Feb. 24, 2005REDDING,

Calif. - 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.

Hoskey pleaded no contest in September to a federal misdemeanor of leaving a fire burning or unattended.

Besides the restitution ordered at his sentencing, Hoskey was banned from the Mendocino National Forest for five years.

Hope he has a pretty good job in order to make that monthly restituion. At $1,000 a month it would only take a little over 1,500 years to get that paid off.

Nemont

 

[BuzzH]

He probably wont ever pay even 1k a month.

It was an accident, a dumb one, but still an accident.

 

[Quiet_One]

hmm in way it like well he got lost had keep warm but then again he soulda watched it after he got warm enough put it out least that woulda been smart hate be him alot pay hope he makes lots big bucks hour

 

[Calif. Hunter]

Yes, it was a stupid mistake. He probably did not clear an area around the fire, or not enough area. I think it is ridiculous, though, to fine a lost person for starting a fire...unless it was summer and 75 degrees at night.

 

[Elkhunter]

Yep, a stupid mistake. The rules were broke and a bad thing happened. I wonder how they would feel if he died instead. Seems like there needs to be a line drawn at somepoint, not on paper but at least in the courts. If it is just on paper, every jackass that starts a fire will say he was lost.

 

[1_pointer]

Yeah, a mistake, but I still think he should be billed. If I fall asleep at the wheel and run into someone's house I'm responsible to pay for the damages, even though it was a mistake.

Also, this makes the case I think that one should carry at least a minimalistic 'safety net' kit (ie sleeping bag, shelter, etc) and a bit of common sense with them outdoors.

 

[ELKCHSR]

A little knowledge goes along way in prevention...
Learn before you become lost.
The more you understand, the less likely you will actually be lost.

 

[Calif. Hunter]

Your comparison of falling asleep and driving a truck is not exactly comparible, if the guy was lost and scared, perhaps fearing he would die. Then the choice is not just pulling off the road and taking a nap, like it is if you are just driving when you are too tired.

The guy is lost, exhausted from trying to find out where he is and from the stress of fear and perhaps panic. He is thinking that he may never see his kids or his wife again. He is freezing and very, very alone.

Easy for us "holier-than-thous" to pick his actions apart from the comfort of our homes - that is all I am saying.

 

[1_pointer]

Well, if you see it as a bad analogy so be it. He made a mistake and is now paying for it. Unfortunate? Yes. Reasonable punishment? Maybe not. Should he have to pay something? From the comfort of my home, I'd say yes. Otherwise, anyone who becomes scared or lost could start fires which could endanger a whole lot of others and property.