Linn County Sheriff Michelle Duncan reports her Mountain Patrol deputies have made an arrest in connection with a wildfire that burned on United States Forest Service (USFS) land in July of 2024. Named the “Slate Fire,” this wildfire burned over 90 acres of forest land south of Detroit Reservoir. Luckily, no homes or structures were damaged by the fire. 

LCSO Mountain Patrol deputies and detectives investigated the cause of the fire in conjunction with the USFS. Deputies determined the fire was started by Jason Everett Patterson, 49, of Salem. Patterson was found near the fire when the fire had started and transported to the hospital to be treated for burns.  As the investigation continued, it revealed Mr. Patterson started the blaze when he lit multiple fires, which he stated were to signal for help.  The area was under U.S. Forest Service fire restriction orders, which were in place due to high fire danger at the time. Mr. Patterson quickly lost control of his signal fires, which set the surrounding forest ablaze. As of this press release, the United States Forest Service has incurred over two million dollars’ worth of expenses related to the suppression of the Slate Fire. 

On October 11, 2024, Mr. Patterson turned himself in to deputies at the Linn County Jail. Mr. Patterson was arrested for Reckless Burning, Reckless Endangering, and Criminal Mischief II.