Former Idaho Volunteer Firefighter ordered to Pay $2 Million in Restitution

A volunteer firefighter who was convicted of setting a wildland fire in 2012, and served two years in prison, has been ordered to pay more than $2 million in restitution for his crime.

Nathaniel Bartholomew was 18 when he intentionally set the Karney Fire that burned over 440 acres, destroyed one home and threatened 275 others. He was sentenced to ten years in prison, but was paroled on April 30, 2015 after serving two years. On May 22, 2015, Judge Patrick Owen ordered Bartholomew to pay a total of $2,398,826.83 in restitution to his victims.

Bartholomew, now 21, was a volunteer firefighter with the Clear Creek Fire Department.

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
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