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Teen Who Confessed To Starting Snaking Fire Sentenced
Dunst Testified Against Friends
The last teen to be found guilty in connection with last year's Snaking Fire was sentenced Monday to years probation.
Austin Dunst, 15, testified against two other teenagers convicted in igniting the fire. In exchange for his testimony against his friends, Dunst was charged with a misdemeanor.
Dunst was also sentenced to 960 hours of public service work, 500 hours of public service work in the Snaking Fire area, and 20 hours of work in a burn unit. He must also write letters of apology to fire victims.
The other teens, Tyler Hancock, 15, and Eric Alderfer, 16, were found guilty of five felony and misdemeanor charges and sentenced in April to two years probation and nearly 1,000 hours of community service. They must also undergo drug and alcohol treatment, attend family therapy, a fire safety course and write letters of apology to the victims of the fire.
The Snaking Fire burned more 2,312 acres near Bailey and forced more than 1,000 families to evacuate. It took $2.68 million and 600 firefighters, air tankers and helicopters to contain the blaze.
The April 23 fire was sparked by the students' cigarette. The boys had skipped class at Platte Canyon High School and climbed a ridge behind the school to smoke Camel Lights.
The Snaking Fire was the second wildfire of the 2002 widlfire season in Park County. On April 18, 2002, the Topaz Fire forced the evacuation of the Windy Peak Outdoor Lab near Bailey.
Dunst Testified Against Friends
The last teen to be found guilty in connection with last year's Snaking Fire was sentenced Monday to years probation.
Austin Dunst, 15, testified against two other teenagers convicted in igniting the fire. In exchange for his testimony against his friends, Dunst was charged with a misdemeanor.
Dunst was also sentenced to 960 hours of public service work, 500 hours of public service work in the Snaking Fire area, and 20 hours of work in a burn unit. He must also write letters of apology to fire victims.
The other teens, Tyler Hancock, 15, and Eric Alderfer, 16, were found guilty of five felony and misdemeanor charges and sentenced in April to two years probation and nearly 1,000 hours of community service. They must also undergo drug and alcohol treatment, attend family therapy, a fire safety course and write letters of apology to the victims of the fire.
The Snaking Fire burned more 2,312 acres near Bailey and forced more than 1,000 families to evacuate. It took $2.68 million and 600 firefighters, air tankers and helicopters to contain the blaze.
The April 23 fire was sparked by the students' cigarette. The boys had skipped class at Platte Canyon High School and climbed a ridge behind the school to smoke Camel Lights.
The Snaking Fire was the second wildfire of the 2002 widlfire season in Park County. On April 18, 2002, the Topaz Fire forced the evacuation of the Windy Peak Outdoor Lab near Bailey.
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