Officials announced that five juveniles are suspected of starting the Park Fire, which burned about 100 acres and forced the evacuation of dozens of homes in Bagdad in Yavapai County earlier this week. 

According to officials with the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office, the five juveniles ranging in age from 11 to 15 were smoking on state land nearby during a fire ban, which sparked the fire.

No injuries or damages were reported, but the estimated cost to contain the fire was $30,000, according to the Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office. 

The five all will be charged with a misdemeanor count of reckless burning, officials said.

The 15-year-old also will face an additional count of tampering with a witness, which is a Class 6 felony, for attempting to keep witnesses from incriminating him. 

“The Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office is encouraging our residents and visitors to comply with all burn/fire restrictions as failure to do so can cause a tremendous cost, in property and lives,” the office said in a statement on Saturday.

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