In 2006, Ellreese Daniels was charged with four counts of involuntary manslaughter and three other felonies, five years after four people under his command died in the Thirtymile fire in Washington. The charges were later reduced and Daniels has pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of making false statements to investigators. His sentencing is July 23.

A survey by the International Association of Wildland Fire found that, because of the criminal charges against Daniels, 36% of the members will make themselves "less available for fire assignments" and 23% would refuse the job of incident commander. The association says the end result could be more acres burned and more homes and other structures destroyed.