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CNN Live At Daybreak

Forest Service Employee Arrested for Starting Colorado Wildfire

Aired June 17, 2002 - 06:32   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CAROL COSTELLO, CNN ANCHOR: Let's talk more about that burned love letter. In Colorado, a veteran Forest Service employee faces a hearing in federal court today following a startling arrest.

Details from CNN's Keith Oppenheim.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

KEITH OPPENHEIM, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Prosecutors say the woman who started the biggest blaze in Colorado's history was an 18-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service. She is Terry Barton, a 38-year-old recreation technician, whose job was to clean campgrounds and provide forestry information. On Saturday, June 8, it was also to patrol the Pike National Forest and prevent anyone from setting fires. Despite that, authorities say, Barton chose to burn a letter from her estranged husband.

BILL LEONE, U.S. ATTORNEY'S OFFICE: She has admitted to starting a fire within a campfire ring located within the National Forest.

OPPENHEIM: Prosecutors say Barton tried to put the fire out of the ring you see here, but the fire got out of control. They also say she was the person who originally reported seeing a campfire that had spread, but forensic evidence led investigators to question Barton's story, and when confronted, she ultimately confessed.

RICK CABLES, U.S. FOREST SERVICE: To us, this sort of thing is unthinkable. Forest Service people take care of the land and protect the resources, and I'm sure our folks are going to have a tough time with this news.

OPPENHEIM: The Hayman fire has consumed more than 100,000 acres, forced the evacuation of thousands, and that it may have been started by a Forest Service employee has sparked a huge reaction.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: And that's their job is to protect, you know, what we have around us, and to find out that she started this, it's just sickening.

OPPENHEIM (on camera): If convicted on all counts, Terry Barton could face up to 15 years in prison and a $500,000 fine, but some Colorado residents may wonder if any punishment would suffice, given the damage that has already been done. Keith Oppenheim, CNN, Denver.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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