CASS LAKE — A 17-year-old Cass Lake boy is charged with felony wildfire arson for allegedly setting a fire that damaged about 70 acres and threatened about 10 homes in Cass County.

The teen appeared in court Friday and was ordered detained. Prosecutors are asking that he be certified as an adult.

Police said Cass County dispatch received a report of a forest fire Wednesday afternoon along state Highway 371 near the Pike Bay Town Hall. A deputy saw two fires and found the teen in the woods. He was arrested after a chase.

The Cass County Attorney’s Office said the teen initially denied setting the fires, but then admitting to starting the second blaze because mosquitoes were bothering him.

The blaze damaged wooded land owned by Potlatch Corporation.