Arrest in Arson Case - two fires on July 22 near Roosevelt

A Eugene Police officer who is also a member of the EPD Arson Team responded to two fires in west Eugene on July 22. The first fire was south of Roosevelt Boulevard. Callers reported people putting dirt on the fire, which was about 30 feet from a tent. Later in the day, there was a grass field fire to the east of the camps and it was extinguished about 50 yards from the camps and was estimated to have burned about three acres. One woman's tent and belongings were burned. On July 27, the investigating officer and another EPD officer searched for the suspect, 36-yer-old Darren Charles Taft. They located him behind a store at 4740 Royal Avenue, where there is a letter of trespass on file. Taft was arrested for Arson in the First Degree. Case 25-11709

Information from Eugene Springfield Fire News Release: Posted on FlashAlert: July 22nd, 2025 5:30 PM

Eugene Springfield Fire responded to two separate fires on Beltline in West Eugene Tuesday afternoon. At approx 1:15 pm on July 22nd ESF responded to a reported Brush Fire along Beltline E at Roosevelt. A Passerby reported that there was roughly 1/4 Acre of Brush on fire. Engine 8, Brush 10, and Battalion 2 responded as part of a brush fire response. On arrival there was approximately 1 acre on fire with windy conditions. An additional Engine, Tender , and light brush rig were called to the scene to assist with extinguishing the fire in grass and blackberries with multiple campsites threatened.