Pullman-Moscow Chipman Trail fire determined to be intentional

COLFAX — The Whitman County Sheriff’s Office is ruling that the Chipman Trail fire resulted from arson, confirmed by Whitman County Sheriff Brett Myers.

In an Aug. 24 report, the Sheriff’s Office said at approximately 5:30 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 19, a blaze at a wooden bridge near Milepost 1.5 on the trail is believed to have been intentionally set by two boys who live in Moscow, Idaho.

Myers could not go into specifics on how the boys, ages 13 and 14, allegedly started the fire, “We believe that it was intentionally started,” he said.

Deputies interviewing witnesses identified the duo as being in the immediate area at the start of the fire, reports show. Initially, they denied involvement.

Records show that investigators determined the two were also suspects in a Pullman grocery store theft case and a bike theft at an apartment complex.

Myers said the alleged thefts were believed to have occurred before the fire.

Myers said that the Whitman County Sheriff’s Office, Firefighters from Fire District 12, the fire inspector, and Whitman County Parks were all involved and on the scene.

Since the bridge was made of treated wood and asphalt, Myers said it took several hours to put out the fire, “it was under control relatively quickly,” he said.

Myers said the fire took out around an acre to an acre and a half since it was highly flammable.

In a follow-up interview with the boys, investigators obtained enough additional information to link them to the arson, records show.