From AP via The Santa Fe New Mexican:
Three juveniles have admitted starting a forest fire that has burned 8,400 acres in western New Mexico’s Zuni Mountains, a fire-information officer said Thursday. …
The youngsters, who built a campfire in a restricted area, told investigators they put it out using water, sand and a stick, he said.
The fire started when they rested the stick against a tree, and its hot tip apparently fell off into a clump of pine needles…