Authorities say a cyclist started a 73-acre wildfire in southwest Idaho by lighting his toilet paper on fire after taking a bathroom break.
The cyclist, who remains unnamed, stopped to defecate in a ravine in the Boise foothills Wednesday afternoon, according to U.S. Bureau of Land Management officials. The man then lit the toilet paper, but lost control of the embers in the dry grass while trying to extinguish the waste, according to the New York Daily News.
The Hull Fire was reported around 1:30 p.m. by several people in the Hulls Gulch area. Emergency responders called in ground and air resources to extinguish the blaze, which spread to 73 acres. The fire was contained by 8 p.m.
"We've had this before, actually—it doesn't happen very often—but when people have to go, um, they will often burn their toilet paper just as kind of an environmental concern, to not litter, basically, but in these fuel types, it's not a good idea," said BLM spokeswoman Carrie Bilbao, according to KTVB.
The man contacted authorities Thursday morning and told them he might be responsible for the blaze. His story matched the "evidence" found at the scene, according to Fox News.
Officials aren't sure if he will be charged with a crime, but they say he will be fined for causing the fire.
