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A Montana man pleaded not guilty today to sparking the 30,000-acre Robertson Draw Fire south of Red Lodge last month.
As of Wednesday afternoon, the Robertson Draw fire burning south of Red Lodge is 69 percent contained.
The state is charging John Lightburn of Bridger with two counts of felony negligent arson. He’s also accused of misdemeanor criminal mischief. He appeared in Carbon County District Court on Wednesday before Judge Matthew Wald, who continued his bail of $7,500. Lightburn pleaded not guilty to all accusations.
Prosecutors say the 55-year-old sparked the flame when fixing his motorbike in an area of the Custer Gallatin National Forest that is off-limits to motor vehicle traffic. Lightburn had been riding the bike there before the incident, court documents say.
Robertson Draw Fire
A Montana man pleaded not guilty on Wednesday to sparking the 30,000-acre Robertson Draw Fire south of Red Lodge last month.
The state is charging John Lightburn of Bridger with two counts of felony negligent arson. He’s also accused of misdemeanor criminal mischief. He appeared in Carbon County District Court on Wednesday before Judge Matthew Wald, who continued his bail of $7,500. Lightburn pleaded not guilty to all accusations.
Prosecutors say the 55-year-old sparked the flame when fixing his motorbike in an area of the Custer Gallatin National Forest that is off-limits to motor vehicle traffic. Lightburn had been riding the bike there before the incident, court documents say.
State GOP attacks MT Supreme Court in mailer
Chief Justice McGrath responds to questions
MTN News
and last updated 2021-05-03 19:41:04-04
HELENA â The state Republican Party has sent a mailer attacking the Montana Supreme Court, saying the court needs to be investigated for âquestionable activitiesâ related to lobbying and its release of documents.
The mailer, sent late last week, is the latest salvo in the GOPâs assault on the reputation of the Montana judiciary â an effort also infused with the partyâs attempts to exert more control over state judicial appointments.
Montana Supreme Court Chief Justice Mike McGrath also sent a letter Friday to Republican leaders of a committee investigating the judiciary, saying neither the high court nor the judiciary had violated any rules or laws regarding lobbying or e-mail procedures.