Ammon man gets probation for starting Henry’s Creek Fire

IDAHO FALLS — An Ammon man was sentenced to two years of formal probation Friday for starting the Henry’s Creek Fire.

Kristian John Lopez appeared before Magistrate Judge Steven A. Gardner for sentencing on one misdemeanor malicious injury to property charge.

Gardner sentenced Lopez to 180 days in jail but suspended 109 of those days and gave Lopez credit for 71 days served. Lopez should be released Friday.

Gardner also ordered Lopez to pay a $1,000 fine, to complete 120 hours of community service and to serve two years of formal misdemeanor probation.

A restitution hearing was scheduled for February to determine the amount Lopez with pay for the damages caused by the Henry’s Creek Fire.

Lopez has 24 hours from his release to report to the misdemeanor probation office.

The Bonneville County Sheriff’s Office said the fire, which burned seven miles east of Idaho Falls this summer, ignited because Lopez was lighting bottle rockets in the area of Henry Creek and Taylor Mountain roads.

“Apparently Lopez and his friends attempted to put the fire out but was unsuccessful and called 911 to report the fire before leaving the area,” the sheriff’s office said in a news release.

The Henry’s Creek Fire burned more than 50,000 acres. More than 260 personnel, along with engines, heavy equipment and aircraft helped to suppress the fire, which took nearly two weeks to contain.

The Bonneville County Commission estimated the cost of the fire at about $4.4 million.

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