The Oregonian newspaper made a records request recently to find out details of the $36.6 million penalty that the juvenile who started the 2017 fire in the Columbia Gorge was ordered to pay. The paper asked Hood River County to make public the payment plan. The county turned it down.

While juvenile records generally are not subject to public disclosure, there are exceptions. Hood River County says the restitution plan is confidential. It should not be.

The Eagle Creek Fire began just over a year ago and burned 49,000 acres before all was said and done. Its costs, including firefighting, rescue, security and property losses, add up to more than $36 million. A then-15-year-old boy from Vancouver, Washington, pleaded guilty to having started the fire while playing with fireworks.

In addition to five years’ probation and 1,920 hours of community service, the court ordered the boy to pay $36.6 million in restitution but acknowledged the debt never would be repaid in full. Instead, the judge ordered the county to come up with a restitution plan based on his resources and other obligations.

It’s difficult to know just why county officials believe the restitution plan should be kept secret. If they fear the boy could be identified, they could redact identifying information. More likely, they’re worried about a backlash from those who believe the boy is getting off too lightly.

Yet surely most adults recognize that almost no one, adult or juvenile, will ever in a lifetime be able to pay back $36.6 million. That number, though no doubt accurate, is largely symbolic.

The public has a clear interest in knowing if the payment plan is reasonable.