Bob Keefer 
, Oct 19, 2001; 06:58 p.m.
From the Associated Press this afternoon:
A photographer who started fires under Delicate Arch in Arches
National Park for dramatic effect was charged with seven misdemeanors
Friday in federal court.
Michael Fatali, 36, of Springdale, Utah, burned four fires underneath
or near Utahs most recognizable icon, Delicate Arch, according to the
U.S. attorneys office. Conservationists attempted to scrub the rock
Thursday, but the discoloration of the famous red sandstone proved
difficult to remove.
Officials believe the man used manufactured fireplace logs to start
three of the fires during a mid-September night last year. The logs
contained a waxy substance that penetrated into the soft sandstone.
The charges accuse Fatali of lighting another fire during the same
time in a sandy bowl near Delicate Arch. According to investigators,
Fatali directed members of his photo workshop group to collect wood to
build the fire. He allegedly left it smoldering throughout the night.
Fatali is also being charged for lighting fires four years ago in
nearby Canyonlands National Park. Investigators estimate it will cost
more than $16,000 to fix the damage there.
Delicate Arch is a four-story stone arch perched on the rim of a deep
sandstone canyon in southern Utah. Thousands of people make that 1.5
mile hike every year.
In an e-mail message sent in November to members of the photography
community, Fatali apologized for what happened, saying he seriously
regretted the incident. I simply screwed up, he said.
Fatali has been charged with crimes in a national park, including
defacing mineral resources, unauthorized fire, lighting a damaging
fire, leaving it unattended and aiding and abetting. Each of the
charges carries a fine of up to $5,000 and six months in prison.
On the Net:
Arches National Park: http://www.nps.gov/arch/index.htm
Maury Cohen , Oct 19, 2001; 07:01 p.m.
What a nitwit!
Sorry, but that pretty much sums it up.
Ray Negus , Oct 19, 2001; 09:52 p.m.
That is really infuriating. At least they caught the bastard. Is this guy 8 years old or what? It's surprising no one in his photo workshop said anything, but I guess none of them could be that smart if they were in his workshop. This takes the cake for the dimwits that don't understand the NPS "leave no trace" ethic. Reminds me of those "photographers" that harass movie stars. Terrible.
Alex Lofquist , Oct 20, 2001; 12:11 a.m.
Did they ever catch the persons that tipped over the "Beehive" balancing rock some years ago? Locally some vandals knocked over the "Keyhole" rocks along the Mississippi recently. Maybe it was the same group that sawed down the oldest tree in the area, nearby.
Alex
Michael Hohner , Oct 20, 2001; 03:12 a.m.
That's actually old news. It happend years ago. I'm sure it's in the Nature forum archives here.
Dan Smith 
, Oct 20, 2001; 09:57 a.m.
Michael Fatali being formally charged with criminal acts is not "Old News". It happened yesterday.
The acts committed leading to the charges happened a year and more ago. They include at least two other firelight photo trips in Southern Utah in addition to the Delicate Arch incident.
Dotty Waxman , Oct 20, 2001; 06:56 p.m.
NATURE'S light???? I don't think so.
This is Fatali's current message at his website:
"No computer imaging, artificial lighting, or unnatural filtration were used as tools in the creation of these photographs. I use only natural light for all the images made for the gallery collection of handmade photographic prints. To me, using nature's light is the best way to express the wonders of natural phenomena.
I have dedicated my entire adult life to exploring and capturing on film, subjects and light that push the envelope of the believable. It is this beauty of the natural world that connects us with the spirit of the land.
Photographing these magical monuments of God's creation requires the practice of great patience. Waiting for hours, days, or sometimes even years for the right light is what it takes to communicate the wonder.
One is blessed when the heart's eye is open to nature's light.
In celebration of land and spirit always."
He just doesn't get it!!
Stephen Ratzlaff , Oct 20, 2001; 10:29 p.m.
Yeah, the whole nature's light thing ... well, I guess fire is nature's light.
What a scam.
The guy ought to be banned from all National and State parks, reserves, grasslands, etc.
The fines are a good start. Now if people would just stop buying his photos, he'd just fade away.
Rob Oliver , Oct 21, 2001; 09:09 a.m.
Ok, this is what was reported on the local news radio station, it includes comments by the federal prosocuter in the case as to why they filed the charges. 1st, they are trying to clean it up but without any success at all, it will probably take a few hundred years of natural erosion to get rid of the markings. 2nd, they filed the charges on October 19th for the situation at Delicate Arch and for a second offense in a slot canyon where there was smoke damage done to some of the walls. By the way sagebrush makes a nice smelling fire but is full of a natural substance similar to crosote which is what is now on the walls in the slot canyon. Creosote is what they soak railroad ties in to preserve them. 3rd, Michael did apologize to the government and the community. 4th, the comments by the Federal prosocuter are thus, "we have filed the charges as a result of Mr. Fatali's actions in these matters, his complete arrogance and attitude and his continuing violations of the permits he has recieved to work in the park have brought us to the conclusion that this is the only way to resolve the situation." I was somewhat taken back when I heard him say this first because I wasn't aware of the other incidents in the slot canyon, and second because this man,the prosocuter, was obviously very pissed off. I do know that they raided Fatali's studio and home a while ago and confiscated several objects, I don't know what they were but I guess we will find out during the trial. I also know that Michael is a very self confident person and to many people is quite arrogant. My only hope is that this entire situation doesn't screw things up for the rest of us who like to photograph in the national parks and forests.
David Goldfarb , Oct 21, 2001; 10:06 a.m.
Way back in this discussion in one of the earlier threads I posted a link to one of the photos in a slot canyon that looked like it had some light source other than the sun or the moon. Glad to see I'm not completely nuts, even as I'm further disappointed to discover that my speculation is true.
