Man sentenced after starting wildfire

ALBUQUERQUE (KRQE) - An El Paso man has been sentenced to five years of probation and ordered to pay more than $2 million for starting a wildfire that burned more than 53,000 acres in the Lincoln National Forest.

Rodrigo Ulloa-Esquivel was sentenced Tuesday in connection with last year's wildfire that burned through the Last Chance Canyon in Eddy County.

The fire started when Esquivel lit toilet paper on fire after relieving himself so he would not leave litter behind.

High winds sent sparks into nearby brush and the fire got out of control.

Esquivel pleaded guilty to a misdemeanor charge in October.