MOSES LAKE — A 64-year-old Moses Lake man was arrested Sunday afternoon after witnesses reported seeing him light dry grass on fire and then use rocks to injure two people who confronted him, according to the Grant County Sheriff's Office.

Deputies were dispatched at about 3:30 p.m. to the 7400 block of Cole Road Northeast in unincorporated Moses Lake after reports that a man was setting fires in dry vegetation near a barn.

According to the sheriff's office, witnesses observed Randal Redding lighting grass on fire before he allegedly threw rocks at two people, causing minor injuries. Both injured witnesses declined medical treatment, according to GCSO Public Information Officer Kyle Foreman. 

When deputies arrived, Redding was reportedly uncooperative and refused commands from law enforcement, Foreman said.

"The suspect was not cooperative with deputies and ended up being taken into custody after a brief scuffle," Foreman said.

Foreman said deputies learned during their investigation that Redding may have been living in the barn where the incident occurred. The barn was not damaged by the fire.

One deputy was evaluated by emergency medical personnel following the arrest but was not found to be injured and returned to duty the same day, Foreman said.

According to the Grant County Jail Roster, Redding was booked for obstructing a law enforcement officer, second-degree assault and second-degree reckless burning. As of Monday afternoon, he did not have a listed bail amount. 

Authorities said they’re still looking into his motive. 

"What his motivation is not known," Foreman said. "He was witnessed lighting dry grass on fire in that neighborhood around the barn."

Although Grant County is no longer under a burn ban, Foreman reminded residents that fire danger remains because vegetation continues to be dry despite cooler temperatures.

"Although we're out of the hot summer months, the fuel is still dry on the ground and there is still a fire risk," Foreman said. "We ask people to maintain their vigilance, be careful with fire, and remember that even though it's not hot outside, the amount of fuel on the ground is still dry and ready to ignite if a fire source contacts it."

The incident remains under investigation.