After a camping trip, an American caused a fire on an area of 5,000 acres
A 57-year-old man arrested on suspicion of starting a 5,000-acre woodland fire in Arizona told police he was burning used toilet paper on Saturday while camping in the Coconino National Forest.
The pipeline fire was first reported shortly after 10 am.
Sunday, approximately six miles north of Flagstaff, Arizona.
Hundreds of Coconino County residents were ordered to evacuate as strong winds fanned the flames, according to emergency officials.
Less than an hour after the fire was reported, the deputy mayor spotted a Chevrolet pickup driving away from the area.
The deputy stopped the driver, who initially said he was camping when he discovered the fire, according to indictment documents filed in court, according to the Los Angeles Times.
The driver, later identified as Matthew Raiser of Louisiana, said he had burned used toilet paper the previous day and put it under a rock.
He told the deputy that he did not believe the fire would burn all night and did not see "No camping" signs throughout the area.
According to the police, "everything" was on fire afterwards, "including the pine trees".
Reiser then agreed to search his car, according to the affidavit, and deputies found an undisclosed amount of marijuana and a white lighter, which he said he used to light toilet paper.
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