Teen Who Started Massive Eagle Creek Fire Gets Probation

Five years probation and 1,920 hours of community service for starting a fire that burnt 48,000 and put lives at risk. Do you think this punishment is enough?

The boy is only 15 years old. I understand that. I've always been perplexed by our justice system though. Sometimes the punishment is severe for the same crime. It depends on the state your case is tried in. It depends on your lawyer, lots of things can affect the outcome.

Perhaps this punishment is just. He'll spend nearly 2,000 hours giving back. That's like working full time for 48 weeks. It's sure to give a teen a lot of time to think and learn. Five years probation. Five years of not being completely free. But should he be spending time in juvenile detention?

I have a lot of sympathy for people who make mistakes. I'm sure that comes from making a lot of mistakes in my own life. Split second decisions sometimes that can change the course of life forever. Words said that can't be taken back. What is fair? I don't know.

We all remember this fire well last year in September. We sent our own to help battle the blaze that trapped a group of hikers that had to be rescued. According to KTVB, 121 miles of National Forest trails in the Columbia River Gorge and Mt. Hood National Forest were burned, totaling 12 million dollars in damage.

In the end the young boy seemed very apologetic for his actions. In part of his apology letter he wrote "I sincerely apologize to everyone who had to deal with this fire. I cannot imagine how scary it must have been for you. I know I have to earn your forgiveness and I will work hard to do so and one day, I hope I will."

What are your thoughts in this care. Does the punishment fit the crime?