• FBI, ATF join probe into big Forest Service blaze
  
  By Chuck Anderson
  Wallowa County Chieftain

http://www.wallowacountychieftain.info/main.asp?SectionID=9&Sub...

The site of district headquarters of the U.S. Forest Service in Enterprise has been declared a crime scene following a spectacular, fast-growing fire that destroyed the two-story log building.

Local firefighters were informed of the crime-scene declaration about 9 p.m. Sunday, July 11, four hours after the blaze was first reported. Yellow "crime scene" tape surrounded the property and a reserve sheriff's deputy was stationed at the bottom of the driveway to restrict access.

Investigators from the state fire marshal's office arrived to join a probe that was expected to include agents from the FBI and U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives plus Oregon State Police arson investigators, said Rich Hoover, spokesman for the fire marshal.

Investigators and others met Monday afternoon at Cloverleaf Hall, and they hoped to enter the scene late Tuesday after Chieftain press time. The had waited because of remaining hot spots and smoldering. Wisps of smoke could still be seen from a distance Tuesday morning.

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