US | Wallow Fire 2 Charged With Biggest-Ever Arizona Wildfire Pair accused of leaving campfire when hiking By Rob Quinn Posted Aug 25, 2011 2:40 AM CDT Updated Aug 25, 2011 4:45 AM CDT Copied In this June 9, 2011 photo, smoke from the Wallow Fire fills the sky over tents where firefighters are sleeping at an incident command center in Eagar, Ariz. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez, File) Two Arizona cousins who allegedly left a campfire unattended have been charged with starting the biggest wildfire in the state's history. The Wallow fire, which burned more than 800 square miles of wilderness in June, began after Caleb and David Wayne Malboeuf left their fire—which they believed to be extinguished—to go hiking, according to a federal complaint. The fire quickly spread in high winds after smoldering out of a containment ring. It destroyed dozens of homes and cost $79 million to fight. The cousins "stated that they believed their campfire was out because David threw a candy wrapper in the fire just prior to their departure and it did not melt," a US Forest service special agent said in an affidavit. The pair face five misdemeanor charges, each of which carries a maximum penalty of six months in prison, a $5,000 fine, or both, the Tucson Sentinel reports. Sen. John McCain sparked controversy when he said "there is substantial evidence that some of these fires have been caused by people who have crossed our border illegally" after a visit to the Wallow fire site, Reuters notes. Read These Next Keith Urban interview ends after Nicole Kidman question. Sean Combs jury reaches a decision on all charges. Bryan Kohberger has admitted his guilt. Who added bill's proposed tax on clean energy? No one knows. Report an error