Man accused of starting Gravel Pit Fire charged with arson
Flames and ash from the Gravel Pit Fire Wednesday morning off U.S. 2 near Silver Butte Road in Lincoln County. (Scott Shindledecker/The Western News)
A homeless man living out of a van is accused of starting the Gravel Pit Fire in the Fisher River Valley east of Libby on Aug. 1.
Joseph Anthony Eutsler, 39, faces a felony charge of arson and is being held on $250,000 bail in the Lincoln County Detention Center.
Eutsler made his initial appearance via video in Lincoln County Justice Court in front of Judge Jay Sheffield on Aug. 2.
Eutsler previously lived in Williamstown, New Jersey, according to the charging documents. He is currently described as living in his van.
According to the probable cause statement by Deputy Anthony Jenson of the Lincoln County Sheriff's Office, Eutsler was arrested Aug. 1 at the gravel pit located near Silver Butte Road after a woman called 911 about 6:22 p.m. to report the fire near mile marker 60.
Fisher River Valley Fire Rescue responded to the scene and found the man who allegedly started the fire at the scene.
Capt. Boyd White and Jenson responded and spoke with Eutsler. He allegedly told them his vehicle had broken down and he had been parked in the gravel pit for about two days. Eutsler said a marked patrol car had driven past and he tried to wave for the officer to stop, but the car continued on, according to court documents.
Eutsler allegedly said he was upset and said he started the fire to create a signal to force law enforcement to come to his location.
Jenson reported seeing singed hair on Eutsler’s right arm and White found a bottle of lighter fluid next to an open door of Eutsler's van. It was also reported that Eutsler had a lighter in his pocket.
When White and Jenson arrived the fire had grown to an estimated five acres and damaged timber and property belonging to Green Diamond Resource Company, court documents said. Within two hours the fire had grown to about 50 acres and was heading in a northeast direction where there are many residences along U.S. 2.
A conviction for felony arson could result in a sentence of up to 20 years in the Montana State Prison.