A man was arrested on arson, reckless burning and other charges Saturday, accused of starting a string of fires along Interstate 5 in the Goshen area south of Eugene, Lane County sheriff’s deputies said.
Dispatchers received a report of a man starting fires along the freeway around 1 p.m. Saturday. Deputies and Oregon State Police troopers responded and quickly arrested the 52-year-old suspect.
Deputies said the man, Michael David Brown, 51, was actively lighting a fire on the shoulder of Franklin Boulevard when contacted, and resisted arrest.
Several fire departments responded as deputies and troopers began evacuating area residents. Deputies said the fires were brought under control before larger evacuations were necessary.