The Ada County Sheriff's Office says they have found the person responsible for starting the Table Rock Fire.
Investigators say 19-year-old Taylor Kemp of Boise started the fire with a Roman Candle firework. He's facing misdemeanor charges and could also be ordered to pay restitution.
It was a fire that scorched a Boise landmark. The Table Rock Fire consumed over 2000 acres and destroyed one home this summer. But now investigators with the Ada County Sheriff's Office say they have their man.
Investigators with the Ada County Sheriffs Office say Kemp admitted to starting the fire on June 29th. They allege he was shooting off Roman Candles near Table Rock when the wind knocked one of them over causing the fire.
"This was caused by illegal fireworks in a zone that you're not allowed to shoot off any fireworks. I think it was very negligent," said Chief Dennis Doan of the Boise City Fire Department.
Police say Kemp has been charged with a misdemeanor for shooting off fireworks where it is strictly prohibited, a crime punishable by up to a $10,000 fine and or six months in jail. But he could end up paying for the cost of the firefighting operations. Both Boise City fire and the Bureau of Land Management say they will seek restitution. A price tag estimated at $400,000
"For Boise fire and police it was a $150,000 and the air assets that the Bureau of Land Management sent to the fire along with bulldozers and helicopters was around $250,000," explained Chief Doan.
Chief Doan says he will work with county prosecutors. A judge will have the final decision on whether or not restitution will be paid.
