'Squatter' charged with arson in 18,000-acre blaze near Dufur, at large after failing to show for court — Columbia Community Connection News Mid-Columbia Region

Columbia Community Connection

'Squatter' charged with arson in 18,000-acre blaze near Dufur, at large after failing to show for court — Columbia Community Connection News Mid-Columbia Region

Volunteer firefighters spent weeks putting out flames near Dufur and protecting their homes as $14 million was spent combating the blaze that ran from the Sunnybrook Community and jumped Highway 197 on the Tygh Valley Grade. Thousands of hours of work and immense property damage were incurred. Christopher Mennealy, 51, was indicted with Arson in relation to the blaze. But he failed to show up for court on Monday, Sept. 16 in Wasco County Circuit…