NEWPORT (AP) — A Stetson man authorities say set fire to his farm field and then tried to reignite the fire as firefighters were putting it out has been found guilty.
James Pimental was found guilty Friday in Newport District Court of burning without a permit and hindering a state forest ranger in connection the March 22 blaze.
The Bangor Daily News reports he was ordered to pay $150 fines on each charge, as well as $1,300 in restitution for the cost of the firefighter response.
The fire was reported shortly before noon by a passer-by. Fire crews from Stetson and several other towns responded.
The fire burned three acres of open field and was beginning to approach Pimental’s hay-filled barn and nearby woods.
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