Oregon man charged with domestic terrorism after series of fires in Wheeler County

A man was taken into custody after setting a series of fires at power poles and other properties near Fossil, Oregon, according to the Wheeler County Sheriff’s Office.

Deputies said the fires were set last week in the hills north of Fossil.

A joint operation involving several local law enforcement agencies, Oregon State Police and the FBI resulted in phone contact with the suspect, who was persuaded to surrender peacefully.

The suspect, later identified as 28-year-old Ethan Noble Burlingame, is being held on $500,000 bail after being arraigned Friday on several charges.

The charges include two counts of domestic terrorism, along with burglary, arson, theft, criminal mischief, reckless burning and interfering with a firefighter.

According to the indictment, the crimes were committed between June 2 and June 4. The domestic terrorism charges stem from allegations that Burlingame unlawfully and intentionally disrupted services provided by critical infrastructure and intentionally destroyed or substantially damaged critical infrastructure.

Read more: KATU