A Forest Service fire crew boss blamed in the deaths of four central Washington firefighters seven years ago has been sentenced to three months work release for lying to investigators.

Ellreese Daniels, 47, headed a team of wildland firefighters sent in to mop up the Thirtymile Fire, which had been sparked by an unattended campfire in the Okanogan National Forest. The fire unexpectedly exploded on July 10, 2001, trapping 14 firefighters and two hikers. Four firefighters were killed, and investigators found that U.S. Forest Service fire bosses had broken all 10 of the agency’s standard safety rules, including a guideline to pick a safe escape route - only Daniels was charged criminally in the case.

He initially faced involuntary manslaughter charges because prosecutors said he failed to order his crew to a safe area as flames approached. But those charges were dropped when he pleaded guilty in April to two misdemeanor counts of lying to investigators about his actions.

Daniels falsely told investigators that he repeatedly ordered the four who died to move to the safer area of the highway – survivors said he gave no such orders. He also claimed a fire truck that arrived prior to the tragedy didn’t check in with him, when in fact the driver had made contact.

Daniels continues to work for the Forest Service, but no longer fights fires. In addition to the three months of work release, Daniels was sentenced to three years of probation. (AP)