Suspects sought in Red River Gorge fire
 

WINCHESTER, Ky. - Authorities in Central Kentucky are seeking three men in connection with a 3,000 acre wildfire in Red River Gorge on October 24 and offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to a conviction.

Park Rangers said they observed the men fleeing from the scene shortly after the fire was discovered on Auxier Ridge during a declared fire ban.

A search of the campsite at the source of the fire revealed a receipt of from a Walmart in Dry Ridge, Ky. Security cameras captured photographs of the men purchasing the receipt items also found at the campsite.

“The suspects are encouraged to come forth,” Patrol Captain Kimberly Kipp said. “Their cooperation with law enforcement will be considered during prosecution if they come forward now.”

The Auxier Ridge area of the gorge, including roads and trails, remains closed.

Anyone with information is encouraged to call Kipp at 606-875-5042.

linky.....

http://www.wcpo.com/dpp/shared/suspe...ver-gorge-fire

I drove down there yesterday. Saw a bunch of firefighters, a bunch of smoke, and a bit of fire. All that I saw yesterday was just a low speed, ground level pretty much leaves and underbrush only fire. They were keeping and eye on it setting up the fire line at the main road 77 to the tunnel. It also was all the way down the edge of the red river North of 77 to Indian creek. Pretty wide ranging fire. I'm sure over the last week and a half or so that it has been burning it has been substantially more, and less at times. I was out of town this past weekend, but my wife said it was so smoky here at the house that you couldn't see over a few hundred yards at one point.

I only saw a very small section of it. :mad:

Glad to hear that you weren't more effected by it... I was thinking about you when I heard...

Hikers or wheelers involved? They seem to have alot of evidence which may work out. Glad to hear you are okay so far from it but sad to hear of the devistation.

Is this affecting any of the typical wheeling places (i.e. Widowmaker, Carb, etc....)?? We are heading down there this weekend.

I would be willing to bet that Walmart cash registers keep a record of transactions pretty well (just in case, you know) and that the security camera date/time (and receipt) have the transaction ID on them and I'll bet that they paid with a credit/debit card; thus easily traceable. Does anyone still pay with cash anymore?

yes, i would rather use cash.:D

x2....

No, opposite side of the mountain parkway.

Thanks for the info!

We will be at Lil' Abners Thurs, Fri, and Sat night probably hanging around outside until the weather chases us inside. Stop by if you have the chance.

if your gonna be down here then come on back to winchester sat. at wal-mart for our annual 4x4 show for children's diabetes. rti ramp;50/50 drawings; and so on. maybe you will even get to see casey turnover again mall crwling

I'll see what time we get off the trail, and if we do come it will just be spectating.

What time is this Winchester Wal-Mart show tomorrow?

1-8pm

Thanks wild man. I'll be stopping in to see some of the rigs and see what I can do for the benefit.