Man arrested for allegedly sparking wildfire while trying to burn a spider

A Utah man has been arrested for allegedly beginning a wildfire while trying to burn a spider together with his lighter. 

Cory Allan Martin, 26, informed deputies that he noticed the spider Monday while he was in a mountain climbing space within the foothills south of Salt Lake City close to town of Springville, in accordance to a possible trigger assertion. He acknowledged beginning the fireplace, however did not clarify why he was trying to burn the spider.

Deputies discovered a jar of marijuana in his belongings, however he did not seem to be excessive, stated Utah County Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Cannon.

There isn’t any proof to recommend he deliberately began the blaze, stated Cannon, however he referred to as it a reckless and puzzling resolution. This space and most of Utah are bone dry amid excessive drought circumstances.

“What led him to stop and notice a spider and decide to try to burn it, we don’t know,” Cannon stated. “There may not be a why. He might not even know a why.”

The wildfire has burned at the very least 60 acres and was 90% contained as of Tuesday afternoon, in accordance to state fireplace officers. No properties have been broken.  

Martin was arrested on suspicion of reckless burn and possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia, courtroom paperwork present.

He was within the Utah County jail Tuesday on practically $2,000 bail. It was unknown if he had an lawyer.

There are a number of wildfires burning throughout the Western U.S. amid sizzling, dry circumstances. The McKinney Fire in Northern California has scorched at the very least 55,000 acres and destroyed greater than 100 properties since sparking July 29. At least 4 individuals have died within the blaze.