'A problem in every national forest': tree thieves were behind Washington wildfire

Tree theft, which led to the deadly Maple fire in Washington, may be costing the US Forest Service up to $100m each year

When two men discovered a rare and valuable towering bigleaf maple tree in Washington state's Olympic national forest last year, they allegedly set about trying to steal it.

But there was a problem - the tree was home to a bee hive. The men reportedly tried to use a wasp killer to get rid of it. When that didn't work, one allegedly poured gasoline on it, and lit it on fire.