Ex-Firefighter Sentenced in State’s Largest Blaze
A former firefighter who admitted igniting what became the biggest wildfire in state history was sentenced in Phoenix to 10 years in prison.
Leonard Gregg, who told authorities he was trying to make work for himself, pleaded guilty Oct. 20 in federal court to two counts of intentionally setting a fire. He was also ordered to pay $27 million in restitution.
The fire started June 18, 2002, by Gregg merged with another and burned 469,000 acres in eastern Arizona. It destroyed hundreds of homes and forced 30,000 people to evacuate.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
