FROM THE ARCHIVE

Woman pleads in Black Hills fire

Facebook Twitter
OCTOBER 9, 2000

Janice Stevenson has pleaded innocent to setting the largest fire in the history of the Black Hills.

Stevenson has admitted to lighting a cigarette and throwing the burning match to the ground, starting the fire. But she has admitted to leaving the area, rather than putting the fire out.

She faces a maximum of five years in prison and a $250,000 charge if found guilty under federal law. Under state law, under which she may be prosecuted, she could face 25 years in prison.

The fire cost $9.1 million to put out and caused $100 million in damages. It burned 83,000 acres in September.

Get the Story:
Wyoming woman suspected in Jasper Fire may face state charges, too (AP 10/9)

Related Stories:
Largest Black Hills fire burns (Enviro 08/29)
Black Hills ablaze (Enviro 08/28)

Relevant Links:
The Jasper Fire - www.fs.fed.us/r2/blackhills/jasper.htm