Massive Forest Fire Destroys Imperial Station, Wipes Out Native Species.
From the Imperial News Network

SANCTUARY MOON, ENDOR SYSTEM - A massive forest fire that has burned over a million acres is blamed for the destruction of an Imperial outpost, as well as wiping out a native species, in the remote Endor system. As yet, the fire is less than 10% contained, with little hope for extinguishing it in the near future. The moon is uncolonized, aside from the destroyed outpost, giving Imperial forces little reason to continue battling the blaze.

483 members of the 92nd Scout Regiment from the 276th Imperial Army Division, who were stationed on the Forest Moon, are missing and presumed dead. Only 63 soldiers were able to be evacuated on the outpost's two shuttles before the landing platform was destroyed in the fire.

The Imperial Army Corps of Engineers has been assigned the task of rebuilding the outpost and determining what caused the fire in the first place. Initial investigations link the fire to the wreckage of a crashed Speeder Bike. The charred corpse of a Scout Trooper, identified as PFC Dek Parta, was found nearby. Investigators believe that PFC Parta and his Scouting unit were "joyriding" at unsafe speeds through the forest. According to the outposts log, the platoon to which Parta belonged, commanded by SSgt. Zev Wyker, had accumulated 15 reprimands for unsafe riding in the two weeks before the fire.

According to 1st Lt. J.G. Trelgiff of the Army Corps of Engineers, "Many of these Scout Troopers get their kicks from speeding through the forest. They'll race each other to show off and prove they're hot-shots to their squadmates. Our current theory is that during one of these races, Private Parta lost control of his bike and crashed into a tree. The resulting explosion sparked a fire which has since destroyed an entire outpost and killed many Troopers."

PFC Parta's parents and brother have been arrested under Imperial law which states that family members can be held accountable for a criminal's actions, if the criminal dies while commiting the felony. They have already been sentenced to death for the murder of 483 Imperial Officers and Enlisted and will be executed immediately.

1st Lt. Trelgiff has also made a formal recommendation that the Imperial Army begin "Speeder Bike Awareness" programs, to let Scouts know the danger of riding at unsafe speeds. The Emperor has already declared a new tax to pay for the programs. Additionally, the penalty for unsafe riding has been raised. Scouts who are caught doing so will now be court-martialed and shot.

Also destroyed in the blaze was an entire village of a primitive, native species of cuddly teddy bears. According to the Imperial Alien Research Agency, this was the only place where this species lived, and it is now believed to be extinct.