Man Sought After Being Charged With Starting Larch Creek Fire

A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a man accused of starting the Larch Creek Fire in July.  The Wasco County District Attorney’s office says 51-year-old Christopher Mennealy was scheduled to appear for arraignment on a Grand Jury indictment on Monday morning, but did not show, leading to the arrest warrant.  He is currently at large.  Mennealy was indicted by the Grand Jury earlier this month for second degree arson and reckless burning.  He’s accused of starting the Larch Creek Fire near Friend on July 9.  District Attorney Matthew Ellis says Mennealy was squatting on another person’s property when the fire began.  Within ten days, the fire burned an estimated 18,286 acres, with suppression costs totaling over $14 million.

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