Three people were arrested in Oregon after allegedly setting up an illegal roadblock outside a wildfire evacuation zone.
The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Joshua Smith, Travis Lucky, and Michael Meier are being cited for disorderly conduct for the incident, according to CNN.
“The Multnomah County Sheriff’s Office will not tolerate this type of illegal activity,” Sheriff Mike Reese said in a statement.
Reese issued a warning to the public earlier in September, telling people that civilian roadblocks were prohibited. It is unclear why the three men set up the roadblock. There are 59 uncontained fires still burning in parts of the West Coast that have upended several communities and forced many individuals to evacuate their homes.
Oregon is facing 12 fires burning in the state that have already destroyed more than 938,000 acres. Washington and California are also suffering the impact of uncontained wildfires, which have killed at least 34 people.
Sheriff Craig Roberts of Clackamas County in Oregon said his department has also received complaints about illegal roadblocks. Roberts also warned against looting and individuals setting up armed checkpoints.
“We do not want armed citizens inappropriately stopping people,” Roberts said.
Fifteen people have been arrested in connection with looting and evacuation zones.
