Sorry, but that's no excuse
Of all people, a Forest Service worker knew damned well how dangerous any open fire was under those conditions. Furthermore, she lied to the police and tried to pin it on someone else. Had she been some moron who was burning an illegal campfire like previously thought, no one would've been saying "Mistakes happen." Of course, I think some people are willing to cut her some slack because she's a woman. You should hear some of the sappy calls on the local radio stations making excuses for her and saying she shouldn't be punished for what she allegedly did. Not just no but HELL NO!