Man Charged In Devastating Creek County Fire Released On Bond

The man charged with starting the devastating Creek County wildfires was released on a $100,000 bond.

Billy Cloud is charged with third-degree arson.

Prosecutors say Cloud was drunk back in 2012, when he threw a lit cigarette onto dry grass during a statewide burn ban, then, did nothing to put out the fire.

The wildfires burned for six days, scorching 90 square miles and destroying nearly 400 homes in the path. Several towns were evacuated and relief efforts continued for more than a year.

4/28/2016 Related Story: Suspect In 2012 Creek County Wildfires Is Arrested

In April, Cloud was arrested at his mother's house near Highway 48 and is in the Creek County jail, officials say. According to the Creek County Sheriff's Office, Cloud was arrested as part of a warrant sweep by the CCSO and the Oklahoma Violent Crimes Task Force.

Upon his arrest, Cloud told investigators he fled the area soon after and spend time in the Tulsa area and Oklahoma City before finally returning to Creek County.