Ex-Forest Service employee gets 15 years probation for starting 2002 wildfire

Associated Press
Glenwood Springs, CO
March 27, 2008

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DENVER (AP) — A former U.S. Forest Service employee who started Colorado’s worst wildfire has been sentenced to 15 years of probation and 1,500 hours of community service.

Terry Barton was resentenced Thursday after her original state sentence of 12 years in prison was overturned by the Colorado Appeals Court.

Barton has served nearly six years in federal prison for the fire and is due to be released in June. She was also ordered to reimburse the federal government $14.6 million.

Barton pleaded guilty to starting the 2002 fire that scorched 138,000 acres, destroyed 133 houses and forced more than 8,000 people to leave their homes.