You know something? Yesterday morning I was watching the news about these wildfires, and the thought of someone possibly starting some of these fires, an arsonist, crossed my mind. I thought of posing the possibility here on the boards, but then I decided that maybe I was being a bit too cynical.
Well guess what?
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LOS ANGELES (Oct. 24) - Federal agents joined the search for evidence Wednesday in brush-covered Orange County hills where an arsonist is believed to have ignited one of the wildfires devastating Southern California.
In San Bernardino County, a man suspected of starting a small fire was arrested and another man was shot to death by police after he fled officers who approached to see if he might be trying to set a fire.
Wildfires, burning in seven counties, had destroyed about 1,500 homes and caused more than a half-million people to flee since the first blaze began late Saturday. At least two — in Orange and Riverside counties — have been linked to arson.
Throughout the region, authorities stepped up patrols in hopes of preventing copycat fires and looting. In San Diego County, sheriff's officials have reported scattered instances of looting in fire zones. Two people have been arrested.
Orange County officials converged on a remote area of bone-dry brush where a 19,200-acre wildfire has destroyed nine homes. They were aided by special teams from the FBI and federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. The federal government planned to send more agents from around the country to help with the probe.
Investigators taped off an area they called a crime scene, took photos, collected evidence and recorded map coordinates, according to ATF Special Agent Susan Raichel. Authorities believe the fire had been set because they found three different ignition points within a short distance — a common sign of arson.
A $70,000 reward was offered for information leading to an arrest in the case.
In San Bernardino County, a motorcyclist who authorities say set a small fire in a rural foothill area of the San Bernardino Mountains has been booked for investigation of arson. Authorities said they didn't know if the man was connected to any of the 16 major wildfires burning in Southern California.
In the city of San Bernardino, police shot and killed a man who fled when officers approached to see if he might be trying to set a fire.
The man, whose name was not released, was shot Tuesday night following a chase that ended when he backed his car into a police cruiser and an officer opened fire, San Bernardino police said.
On Wednesday, a merciful easing of the winds fueling the sprawling wildfires finally gave firefighters a chance to fight back against some blazes.
The improving weather allowed for a greater aerial assault on the flames and helped firefighters beat back the most destructive blazes. Helicopters and air tankers dropped 30 to 35 loads of water on two fires that have burned hundreds of homes in the San Bernardino Mountains, near Lake Arrowhead.
"They're taking it down considerably," said Dennis Bouslaugh of the U.S. Forest Service. Authorities said they had largely contained many of the fires north of San Diego, and all five fires in Los Angeles County were about 50 percent contained or more.
Despite the progress, none of the six major blazes in San Diego County was more than 15 percent contained, and those fires threatened more than 8,500 houses. The top priority was a fire in San Bernardino County that threatened 6,000 homes and continued to rage out of control.
So far, this week's fires have burned 674 square miles across five counties, from Ventura in the north all the way into Mexico.
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How many lives are now ruined and have been changed forever because of some sick bastard? How many people have now lost everything that they've ever had because of some wacko scumbag?
I know, I'd be on my way if I saw a fire coming toward me and was told to leave.
