Feds: Gallia County Fire Official Admits to Arson Fires Set in National Forest

CINCINNATI, Ohio (News Talk 1480 WHBC and ONN) – Turns out those fires purposely set in the Wayne National Forest in southern Ohio this Fall were set by an administrator for a local fire department, according to the feds.

50-year-old James Bartels from a Gallia County fire department has apparently admitted setting over two-dozen forest fires, telling federal investigators he wanted to “give the boys something to do”.