AUGUSTA — The Maine Forest Service says a Presque Isle man has been charged in connection with three small wildfires set earlier this month.

Officials say 23-year-old Chad Hamilton was charged Sunday with one count of felony aggravated criminal mischief and three counts of criminal mischief for allegedly starting three wildfires in Presque Isle.

Investigators say Hamilton became the focus of the investigation of the fires early on. All of the fires occurred in the city adjacent to the town’s ATV trail. Physical evidence found at the fire scenes tied Hamilton to the fires.

The Forest Service has responded to nearly 300 wildfires in Maine this season, more than triple the amount for this time last year.

 


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