Polk County Sheriff's Office Makes Arrest on Wildland Fire

Sheriff Bob Wolfe says the fire started when shots were fired into a tree stump.

Polk County investigators say a bullet from this rifle started the wildland fire near Dallas. Photo: Polk County Sheriff

(DALLAS, Ore.) - The Polk County Sheriff's Office arrested a suspect today in the wildland fire that has burning since Saturday, scorching over 400 acres of land near Dallas.

40-year old Eric Larkins of Salem, Oregon was arrested at 3:30 PM by a Polk County deputy. The arrest was made in collaboration with Oregon Department of Forestry and Oregon State Police.

Deputy Brian Dunkin, who is a Polk County Woods Contract Patrol Deputy, says he was able to follow up on a series of leads that led to this arrest. Polk County Sheriff Bob Wolfe says the fire has drawn many resources.

"This fire impacted our contractors, both on Private and Public lands; it was very important we addressed this case aggressively" stated Wolfe, who praised Deputy Dunkin for his determined efforts and hard work on the case.

"From what we have been able to put together, Mr. Larkin together with other associates, were out target practicing approx. 11 miles SW of Dallas with a high powered, military style, 50 caliber sniper rifle," Wolfe said.

"They had shot three shots in to a tree stump with what is believed to be armor-piercing/incendiary/tracer type rounds. When they saw smoke, they tried to put it out but the fire got out of control and they fled the area."

Wolfe says a member of the shooting party as well as another, uninvolved, witness called 911 to report the fire but did not claim responsibility. Wolfe says Deputy Brian Dunkin was able to put all the pieces of evidence and interviews together and affect an arrest.

The Polk County Sheriff's Office has secured the rifle and ammunition that started this fire. Fire reports indicate that over 420 acres have burned, costing over $500,000 in fire suppression to date and nearly $100,000 additional each day they continue to fight the fire.

Land owner Forest Capital estimates the current damage to their lands somewhere between $150,000 and $200,000 to date and growing.