$6.3M Sought in Horsethief Canyon Wildfire

The U.S. Forest Service wants to collect $6.3 million from a 77-year-old man accused of accidentally starting a wildfire that threatened the town of Jackson, Wyo.

The Forest Service sent James G. Anderson a bill for firefighting costs in November. The Associated Press obtained a copy through the Freedom of Information Act.

The Horsethief Canyon Fire burned 5 square miles of forest in September 2012. At the fire’s height, officials urged some residents of Jackson to be ready to evacuate.

Firefighting costs for several agencies totaled about $9 million.

The Forest Service alleges Anderson caused the wildfire by starting a fire in a rusted-out barrel and allowing it to get out of control.

A phone listed phone number for Anderson didn’t work, and his attorney declined to comment.