Border Patrol agent to get probation for Arizona wildfire

TUCSON, Ariz. (AP) — A Border Patrol agent will have to serve probation for starting a southern Arizona wildfire while he was off duty.

Federal prosecutors announced Friday that 37-year-old Dennis Dickey, of Tucson, has pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge. He will face five years’ probation and make a public service announcement about the fire.

Dickey was target shooting near Green Valley in April 2017 when he put an explosive powder inside a target.

Shots struck the target, causing a fast-moving fire.

Authorities say the blaze burned more than 45,000 acres of state and federal land. The damage was estimated to be more than $8 million.

Dickey reported the fire immediately and admitted to starting it.

He is scheduled to be sentenced Oct. 9.