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NELSONVILLE, Ohio -- The United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio announced this week that an Ohio man has been arrested and charged with crimes related to at least 24 arson fires since spring 2022 in the Wayne National Forest.
A fire department administrator and former 911 dispatcher has been charged federally with crimes related to the fires.
James A. Bartels, 50, of Patriot, Ohio, was arrested and appeared in federal court in Columbus. Bartels is an administrator at the Greenfield Township Volunteer Fire Department.
He also served as a 911 dispatcher for Gallia County.
According to an affidavit filed in support of a criminal complaint, Ohio Department of Natural Resources law enforcement officers observed a truck registered to Bartels near Wayne National Forest on Oct. 29. Bartels was observed on Dry Ridge Road.
Within an hour, a fire was reported in the forest near Dry Ridge Road and Cauley Creek Road.
In the days after Bartels's Nov. 8 resignation from working as a 911 dispatcher for Gallia County, at least 17 fires were lit. Bartels was seen at two separate locations in the vicinity of multiple fire starts within minutes of their ignition, records said.
The affidavit details that in a law enforcement interview, Bartels admitted to starting the fires with a lighter to "give the boys something to do" and to distract himself from depression.
He identified 24 arson fires for which he was responsible.
His truck's infotainment system data also placed him at the locations of the fires.
Bartels is schedule for a preliminary hearing in U.S. District Court on Jan. 3 in Columbus.
Willfully committing arson is a federal crime punishable by up to five years in prison.
Kenneth L. Parker, United States Attorney for the Southern District of Ohio, and the U.S. Forest Service announced the charges.
Assistant United States Attorneys Michael J. Hunter is representing the United States in this case.
This announcement comes after a busy fall fire season throughout southeast Ohio.
Federal and State wildland firefighters, along with local and volunteer fire departments, contained dozens of wildfires throughout the region.
Lee Stewart, Forest Supervisor for the Wayne National Forest, said, "I would like to extend my sincere thanks and gratitude to all the firefighters, law enforcement officers, and resource specialists who responded in our time of need."
The U.S. Forest Service takes an integrated approached to land stewardship, including wildfire response and law enforcement.
"We can only accomplish these things through an integrated approach with our partners at the local, state, and national levels," Stewart said. "We want to acknowledge and thank all the partners that we work with, in particular the many volunteer fire departments and State and local law enforcement agencies. We greatly value these relationships, and we look forward to continuously strengthening them to better serve southeast Ohio."
Stewart added, "I also want to thank the members of the local communities for their patience and assistance throughout the fall fire season. Their support aided and motivated the Forest Service staff and partners who responded to the many wildfires during this challenging season."