Las Vegas Sun

March 29, 2024

Prosecutor: Boy acknowledges starting California wildfire

Wildfire

Eric Paul Zamora / The Fresno Bee via AP

A helicopter flies over Willow Creek Canyon as a wildfire continues burning in the Sierra near Bass Lake, Calif., Monday, July 27, 2015.

FRESNO, Calif. — A prosecutor says a boy has acknowledged starting a California wildfire that threatens hundreds of mountain homes near Fresno.

Madera County District Attorney David Linn said Tuesday that he and investigators met with the boy and his family.

Linn says they boy used a lighter to burn pine needles on a tree, and the flames got away from him, even though he tried to smother the fire with his clothes.

The boy's family reported the fire to officials and has cooperated with the investigation.

Linn declined to identify the boy who remains at home and could be charged next week.

The fire threatens 450 structures in the wooded communities of Bass Lake and Cascadel Woods north of Fresno.

It has burned 3 square miles, and is 5 percent contained.

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