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Four detained for starting Rattlesnake Fire in Ferry Co.

The Lincoln County Sheriff said at about 1:20 a.m. dispatch got a 911 call from a citizen reporting that they saw a boat on Lake Roosevelt with several occupants lighting fireworks across from the Lincoln boat launch.
Rattlesnake fire near Seven Bays, Washington (source: Kari Collier)

SEVENS BAYS, Wash. – Four suspects were detained after starting the Rattlesnake Fire on Thursday, officials said.

The Lincoln County Sheriff said at about 1:20 a.m. dispatch got a 911 call from a citizen reporting that they saw a boat on Lake Roosevelt with several occupants lighting fireworks across from the Lincoln boat launch. They said they saw the occupants lighting fireworks and sometime later the hillside went up in flames. The caller also saw the occupants return to shore and place an item in an area below the fire.

RELATED: Rattlesnake Fire grows to 2,700 acres; 75% contained

Officials said Marine One, which was already out on the water, was notified and was able to check Lincoln, Seven Bays and Fort Spokane boat launch areas for the suspects’ boat.

Deputies were then able to quickly locate and detain four suspects. Then, they contacted the witness who called in the incident and officials said they positively identified the boat. Authorities then took the witness to the Colville Indian Reservation in Ferry County where numerous fireworks and evidence was collected.

Officials said the suspects were identified then released.

The case has been passed along to Colville Tribal authorities to determine if charges will be filed.

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