DNR seeks information on likely arson fire in Allegan State Game Area Just after 5 a.m. Sunday, Sept. 26, Allegan County Central Dispatch received a report from a helicopter crew flying over the Allegan State Game Area of a "significant fire" south of 116th Avenue, east of 46th Street, in Valley Township, southwest Michigan. The crew said the fire was consuming large logs, which turned out to be two decks of cut timber, each approximately 30 feet tall by 150 feet long - and all of it nearly burned to the ground. Conservation officers with the Michigan Department of Natural Resources are now seeking the public's assistance with any information related to the suspected arson fire. Such fires are rare; over the last five years, just 4% of fires the DNR has responded to have been determined to be arson-related. "Although the investigation is ongoing, initial evidence suggests arson," said Sgt. Charles Towns, with the DNR Law Enforcement Division. "This wasn't a spur-of-the-moment thing." The fire is believed to have been started between 10 p.m. Saturday and 2 a.m. Sunday. Fire-suppression efforts began with the Clyde Township Fire Department, which provides coverage for Valley Township, and were led by the DNR's fire personnel. Assistance was provided by DNR conservation officers, as well as the Fennville City, Allegan District and Lee Township fire departments. Billsby Lumber Company, which originally purchased the timber, is offering a $5,000 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in this case. The estimated value of the lost timber is between $30,000 and $35,000. Share any tips (which may be left anonymously) via the DNR's Report All Poaching hotline, 800-292-7800. It is available for calls or texts 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
What a waste. All that time and resources managing the forest to grow good timber, the planning of future stands of trees, all the work in harvesting and finding prospective buyers, all gone up in smoke. I don’t want to assume anything, but the type of individual that would do this is the same type that spikes trees slated for culling and commits these crimes in the name of environmentalism. I’ll bet they’re real proud of themselves too.
Sounds like the greenies are protesting or maybe some hunters that liked hunting that area. Either way, it's shameful. Don't worry, they'll probably brag to the wrong person about it.
Are we sure it was environmentalist protesting? Whats the point of burning cut lumber? The damage has already been done. Now I could see if someone had it out for this company/owner. Now if they burnt down their mill/ busted equipment up, I would be inclined to think protesters.
Yeah I should not be so quick to assume. Maybe it was a competing lumber company or a disgruntled ex employee. But if I didn’t miss the mark on my first assessment, I hope the story won’t get buried. Now there’s a sign of the times.
That's the outfit I bought my log load from this spring. There's a lot of crime, meth making etc. down that way, the motives for that are possibly quite numerous & varied. Billsby has a pretty good reputation as far as a logging company.
Well the long haired dopers have burnt our decks, and spiked our trees for years. They figure it hurts our pocket books. Maybe discourage us out of the business. Land owner down to the waitresses at cafes are hit.
Doesn't sound like a simple prank to me...more like agenda....if it was a prank, it was the inspired by someone with an agenda IMO
