Crime & Safety
2 Nassau County Men Accused of Starting Upstate 2,700 Acre Forest Fire
The men, from Bethpage and East Meadow, were charged with starting the wildfire that burned for five days.
Image via screenshot of Shawangunk Ridge forest fire video (see below)
Two Nassau County men are accused of starting a wildfire that burned more than 2,700 acres of forest along the Shawangunk Ridge in upstate New York in May, The Daily Freeman reports.
The wildfire, which lasted from May 3-8, ignited when Michael Schiliro, 62, of East Meadow, and Walter R. Drobecker III, 52, of Bethpage, burned yard waste in an outdoor fire pit at Schiliro’s property in Mamakating during a state ban on open burning, according to the Freeman.
The two men pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to reckless endangerment of property and illegally burning garbage charges, the article reports.
Video of the Shawangunk Ridge forest fire:
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