Union County Man Arrested on Multi-State Wildland Arson Charges

UNION COUNTY, Ga. – Blairsville man is in custody following his arrest on multiple wildland arson charges tied to a series of fires across Georgia and North Carolina.

Authorities identified the suspect as 48-year-old Kevin James Roper of Blairsville. He was taken into custody by the North Carolina Forest Service, with assistance from the Georgia Forestry Commission Law Enforcement unit.

Roper is charged with 10 counts of arson of lands in North Carolina and an additional seven counts in Georgia. Officials said he will be transferred to Georgia to face those charges once he is released from North Carolina custody.

According to Georgia Forestry Commission Chief of Law Enforcement John Harris, Roper is suspected in 17 intentionally set fires across both states. The investigation began after a series of fires on December 30, 2025, including six roadside fires in Georgia and two in North Carolina.

Over the following three months, authorities reported seven additional roadside fires in North Carolina and one more in Georgia, all believed to be connected.

A joint investigation between the Georgia Forestry Commission and the North Carolina Forest Service ultimately led to Roper’s arrest and alleged confession.

Georgia Forestry Commission Director Johnny Sabo praised the collaboration between agencies, noting that wildfire danger in Georgia has remained above normal since last fall. He added that the coordinated effort may have prevented a more serious incident.

Officials emphasized that arson remains one of the leading causes of wildfires in Georgia. Under state law, those convicted of arson can face fines of up to $50,000 and prison sentences ranging from one to 20 years.