PHOENIX - The commander of an elite U.S. Forest Service firefighting team was indicted on arson charges on Thursday, accused of setting two wildfires in a national forest, officials said.
Van Bateman, who forestry officials said was one of the first out-of-state commanders dispatched to New York after the September 11 terror attacks, was charged with setting timber afire and arson on public lands.

The indictment charges that he set two wildfires in the Coconino National Forest, the first on May 8, 2004 and the second on June 23, 2004.
Prosecutors released few other details about the case or the evidence against Bateman.
Forest Service Chief Dale Bosworth said the service initiated the investigation and is cooperating with the U.S. Attorney.
A conviction for setting timber a fire carries a maximum penalty of five years, a $250,000 fine or both. A conviction for arson on public lands carries a maximum penalty of 20 years, a 250,000 fine or both.
Bateman has been placed on administrative leave with pay and faces an unpaid suspension, service spokeswoman Raquel Poturalski said. Bateman, 55, could not immediately be reached for comment.