Priest River man arrested on arson charges

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PRIEST RIVER — Bonner County Sheriff’s Office arrested a Priest River man Wednesday on multiple arson charges.

“This investigation has been a top priority for our office, due to the high fire danger, and extreme risk of death to the public. I’m very proud of the investigative work of our detectives and our partner agencies,” Bonner County Sheriff Daryl Wheeler said following the arrest.

Ryan Greene, 23, was arrested without incident Wednesday. The Priest River resident was wanted in connection to multiple area fires, past and present, according to Idaho Department of Lands fire investigator Rod Weeks.

Greene was brought into custody following a joint investigation with the Idaho Department of Lands, Idaho State Fire Marshal, U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Forest Service, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives.

“Over the past two years, multiple intentional wildland fires have been set on Idaho public lands and U.S. Forest Service property in the Priest River area,” BCSO officials said in a Wednesday press release.

Weeks said the fires appear to have been intentional, rather than accidental. He declined to specify which fires Greene is accused of setting due to the ongoing nature of the case nor could he give an estimation for monetary damages.

Weeks did say that, as far as investigators know, Greene’s alleged actions have not resulted in the loss of life.

As of Wednesday evening, the probable cause affidavit has not been filed. In a search of the MyCourts database, Greene does not have a prior criminal record in Idaho.