Eugene Police Arrest Man for Arson Burning Homeless Tent, 3 Acres

Authorities in Eugene, Oregon, arrested 36-year-old Darren Charles Taft on suspicion of first-degree arson for allegedly setting two brush fires near Roosevelt Boulevard on July 22, one of which destroyed a homeless woman's tent and belongings. The fires, exacerbated by windy conditions, threatened multiple campsites and burned approximately three acres before firefighters successfully contained them. Community members attempted to extinguish the flames themselves, using their limited water supplies, highlighting the vulnerability of the unhoused population. Taft was apprehended on July 27 behind a store on Royal Avenue, a location where he had a trespass order, and was subsequently booked into Lane County Jail on additional misdemeanor charges. Officials continue to examine the safety risks faced by homeless encampments in the area, emphasizing the urgent need for protective measures. The investigation and arrests underscore the community's and authorities' efforts to respond to and prevent such hazardous incidents.