JACKSON (WNE) — A man was arrested Wednesday for violating the county fire ban and negligently burning property after he allegedly started and then interfered with suppression of a fire that burned the same day along the West Gros Ventre Butte.

Dennis Gross allegedly obstructed firefighters by standing in the way of the only road with access to the fire, which burned Wednesday afternoon near Highway 22 just west of Spring Gulch Road, according to an affidavit signed by Teton County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Bret Bommer.

While blocking passage, Gross allegedly said to Sheriff Matt Carr: “We don’t need no firefighters. I started the fire, I can put it out.”

Gross continued blocking access as firefighters asked him to move and honked their horn at him, the affidavit states. Carr then placed Gross under arrest for preventing the extinguishment of the fire.

The fire Gross allegedly started began in the flats at the base of the butte and moved up the hillside. The fire was smoldering with no large visible flames as of 3 p.m. Wednesday. Several firefighters were on the ground, and a helicopter was being used to bring in water.

According to the affidavit, Gross said to officers, “It’s gonna keep taking place like this. If you can’t handle it, be around it, let them go to hell.”