CSKT firefighter pleads guilty to arson

Confederated Salish & Kootenai Firefighter Phillip “Cody” Haynes pleaded guilty to felony arson July 30 in Lake County District Court.

Haynes was charged with the crime in March after he  admitted to investigators that he started seven forest fires in the past three years, according to Lake County Prosecutor Steve Eschenbacher.

Haynes took responsibility for setting a fire July 27, 2014, the South Finley fire on July 28, 2014, the Saddle Mountain Fire on Aug. 18, 2014, the Hammer Fire set on Aug. 25, 2014, the Arlee Pines (A-Hill) fire on July 17, 2013, the Firestone Fire on Sept. 2, 2012 and a seventh fire, court records said.

Haynes will be sentenced Sept. 24.