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Firefighter plane over the Springville fire: ignited by a hiker, police say
Photo: Kristin Murphy/AP
Cory Allan M. hiked in the US state of Utah.
On a slope he tried to kill a spider with a lighter.
According to investigators, however, he triggered a forest fire.
The 26-year-old told police officers at the scene that he tried to kill the spider with a lighter and "started a fire," the Utah Sheriff's Office said.
Like much of the US Southwest, the state of Utah is suffering from a severe drought.
The fire, which broke out Tuesday near the town of Springville, south of Utah's capital Salt Lake City, spread to more than 24 hectares, according to the fire department.
It has now been contained to 90 percent, houses or people were not affected.
Suspect released on bail
Elsewhere the situation is less mild.
Fires recently raged on an area of thousands of hectares near the US National Park Yosemite in the US state of California, more than 6000 people had to leave their homes and apartments.
The Oak Fire also threatened Yosemite National Park and the giant sequoias in the south of the park.
The suspect hiker from Utah, in turn, was arrested, according to police, for negligent arson and possession of marijuana.
He has since been released on $2,000 bail.
However, M. did not explain to the police why he wanted to burn the spider.
Spencer Cannon of the sheriff's office spoke of a reckless and mysterious action.
"We don't know what made him do it," he said.
"Maybe he doesn't even know why."
In addition to the arson charges, court documents say he was also arrested for possession of marijuana and drug paraphernalia.
Investigators found the drugs on him during a search following the spider incident.
The man didn't appear to be high, however, Officer Cannon said.
Apr/AFP/AP
