A 50-year-old man in Spokane and a 46-year-old homeless man in Utah were arrested for starting wildfires, with one claiming divine guidance and the other having a history of unattended fires, according to verified sources.
A 50-year-old man in Spokane, Washington, was arrested for allegedly starting a 2-acre wildfire in the West Hills Neighborhood, claiming God instructed him to rejuvenate the land,
while a 46-year-old homeless man in Utah has a documented history of igniting and abandoning fires, according to verified reports.
Arrest of Vincent Adolph in Spokane: A Fire Born of Divine Guidance
Vincent J. Adolph, 50, was arrested on July 13 after a fire burned through a grass field and trees near Sunset Boulevard and Rustle Street in Spokane’s West Hills Neighborhood, according to court documents. Witnesses saw Adolph “with a purpose” walking away from the blaze, and police found him near the John A. Adolph told officers he was smoking marijuana and didn’t intentionally start the fire,
but he claimed God told him to burn the land,
a statement police described as clear and thought out.
The fire, which occurred on Friday, was discovered by a witness who spotted smoke near Catholic Charities Eastern Washington’s Catalyst Project housing building. The witness followed Adolph, who was seen throwing sticks on a fire
and had flames approximately 10 feet high,
according to a police affidavit. Adolph was held on a $200,000 bond and faced felony first-degree reckless burning charges, with a court appearance scheduled for Monday.
Adolph’s arrest echoes a similar case in the area: Vickie L. Smith, who set fires three summers ago after claiming God instructed her to spread her message about the inability of disabled people to get housing.
Smith was sentenced to nearly 3½ years in prison for damaging the Finch Arboretum and other properties. The Spokane Fire Department noted that extreme weather conditions, including hot temperatures and gusty winds, contributed to the fire’s spread.
Conrad Larsen’s Fire History: A Pattern of Negligence
In Utah’s American Fork Canyon, Conrad Jared Larsen, 46, was arrested for allegedly starting the Timp Fire, a 2-acre blaze near the Timpooneke Campground on July 9. Larsen, described as homeless, had a documented history of igniting fires and leaving them unattended, according to a police booking affidavit. Investigators identified him with help from the U.S. Forest Service, and witnesses reported seeing him throwing sticks on a fire
with flames reaching 10 feet high.
Larsen’s 2017 conviction included charges for leaving multiple fires unattended,
and he was placed on probation. The Timp Fire forced the closure and evacuation of the Timpooneke Campground and Mutual Dell area, though no injuries were reported. Larsen remains in Utah County Jail as authorities investigate his role in the blaze.
Legal Consequences and Recurring Patterns
Both Adolph and Larsen face legal repercussions for their actions, with Adolph’s case involving a $200,000 bond and Larsen’s history of fire-related offenses highlighting a recurring pattern of negligence. Adolph’s claim of divine guidance contrasts with Larsen’s documented behavior, yet both incidents underscore the dangers of unattended fires in dry, high-risk areas.
Authorities in both states stress the importance of fire safety, particularly in regions prone to wildfires.
Adolph’s arraignment is set for Thursday in Spokane County Superior Court, while Larsen’s case in Utah County continues to unfold.
For now, the focus remains on the immediate legal and environmental impacts of these fires, with investigators continuing to trace the origins and consequences of each blaze.
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