Sheriff: Springfield man tried to start fire at Dexter frisbee golf course this week
DEXTER, Ore. - A man faces accusations he tried to start a fire in the woods near the frisbee golf course at Dexter State Recreation Area on Wednesday.
Firefighters responded to the scene and found passersby had quickly put out the fire, the Dexter fire chief said earlier this week.
"The fire was in a wooded area and was approximately 5 feet in diameter before it was extinguished by two people playing frisbee golf in the area," the sheriff's office said. "A man in a minivan was seen leaving the area shortly before the fire was discovered."
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The Lane County Sheriff’s Office investigated the fire.
On Thursday, deputies arrested Jonathan Maas, 44, of Springfield on suspicion of arson in the first degree in connection with the Dexter fire.
"While this fire was discovered and extinguished before it grew in size, the potential for the fire to have spread quickly was there," the sheriff's office said. "We are thankful for the community members who spotted and extinguished the fire before it was able to hurt anyone or cause any structure damage."
The sheriff noted that the "incident is not related to the current Holiday Farm Fire in the McKenzie area."
