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Historic cabin at Bell Canyon burned; investigators report signs of accelerant
Summary
BLM and Forest Service staff told the committee that a historic cabin at Bell Canyon was destroyed by fire; investigators found evidence suggesting an accelerant and artifacts were lost.
BLM and Forest Service representatives reported that a historic cabin in Bell Canyon, located near the popular Behind the Reef and Bell Canyon access, was found burned and investigators on scene reported evidence that accelerants may have been used.
A BLM representative said investigators are examining the site; the cabin had contained artifacts and personal items that staff described as lost in the fire. The representative noted the location is adjacent to heavily used trails and trailheads and expressed concern about protecting other stocked historic cabins in the area.
Staff said they had not identified a motive and characterized the incident as possibly deliberate based on early investigative indicators; they said investigators provided information to state law enforcement and that BLM had supplied the meeting with flyers describing a site‑steward program and related confidentiality protocols for volunteer inspections.
Committee members discussed heightened vigilance for remote historic structures and asked staff to pass along any leads. The committee did not announce any new security measures at the meeting, but members said they will coordinate on site stewardship and limit routine public promotion of locations that contain artifacts until inventories and protection plans are updated.
