Ex-Minnesota Fire Chief Charged in Forest Fires

A former fire chief in northeastern Minnesota has been indicted on federal charges alleging he set fires in the Superior National Forest, reports the Winona Daily News

Former Babbitt Fire Chief Ryan Scharber also is accused of trying to set a fire at a resort while he was fire chief.

Scharber resigned as fire chief last December, right around the time city officials were told a federal investigation was underway, Babbitt City Attorney Mitch Brunfelt said.

Bernice Norregaard, who became mayor of the 1,400-resident town in January, called it “a sad day” for the Iron Range community.

The U.S. Attorney’s office says Scharber set fires in the Superior National Forest on Oct. 7-9 and Oct. 11, 2011, and on April 29 and Sept. 10, 2012, all in Babbitt.

Scharber also is charged with attempted arson at Mattila’s Birch Lake Resort in Babbitt on Dec. 3, 2011. No details are given in the court documents, the Star Tribune reported.

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