They set a legally permissible fire on their own property, which accidentally burned out of control onto neighboring federal land. The Hammond Ranch is near the unincorporated community of Diamond, with fewer than 100 residents. Like most Western ranches in federally dominated counties, the Hammond Ranch holds grazing rights on nearby federal land. Fish and Wildlife Service has long coveted the Hammond Ranch for inclusion in its surrounding Malheur Wildlife Refuge. According to a government witness, the fire actually improved the federal land, as natural fires often do.

Source: Fox News May 19, 2018 07:52 UTC