Four arrested in connection with Halfway Hill Fire

MILLARD COUNTY, Utah — Millard County sheriff’s deputies arrested four men Saturday night in connection with the Halfway Hill Fire.

Court documents showed that Darrie Rae Dewolf, 35, Tyler Russel Smith, 30, Taylon Lance Kessler, 30, and Michael Joseph Patti, 30, were taken into custody.

All four were charged with an abandoned fire causing property damage of more than $1,000.

The Halfway Hill Fire has burned more than 8,000 acres.

Fire investigators from the Utah Department of Forestry, Fire, and State Lands responded to the fire after witnesses gave a potential location.

A fire investigator confirmed there was evidence of a campfire at the location.

“Items of evidence were recovered indicating individuals had been at this location and had left abruptly,” the affidavit of probable cause said. “Subsequent investigation identified four individuals who had been at this location.”

Investigators contacted the individuals who said they were “recreating” in the area for several hours.

“They stated that after being at this location, they had made attempts to extinguish the fire and then left the scene,” the document said. “Arrestees did however indicate during interviews that after seeing the fire erupt they were concerned that their fire may have been the cause.”

The document said none of the men tried to contact fire officials or the police before their arrest.