Officials: It’s arson
posted at 10:51 am on October 25, 2007 by Bryan
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At least one of the 16 fires raging in Southern California is the work of arsonists.
A major wildfire that has scorched thousands of acres and destroyed hundreds of homes in Southern California has been declared an arson, according to Orange County law enforcement and FBI officials.
A total of $125,000 in reward money — $70,000 from the Orange County Fire Authority and $50,000 from Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger — is being offered for information leading to an arrest for those responsible for the Santiago fire in the rugged eastern part of the county.
The FBI has become involved in the investigation because part of the fire was on federal land in National Forest.
The vertical movement of the smoke showed that the fierce Santa Ana winds that had whipped seemingly small brush fires into a 426,000 acre inferno were starting to ease, FOX News’ Claudia Cowan reported.
The Santiago fire grew to 22,000 acres Wednesday night, while containment of the flames shrank from 50 percent to 30 percent. Fire officials blame the difficult terrain, erratic winds.
Orange County officials executed a search warrant Wednesday as part of a probe into whether one or more of the fires in that county were the result of arson. Earlier Wednesday, the California Highway Patrol arrested a motorcyclist who was caught setting a brush fire in San Bernadino County, near Lake Arrowhead.
And then there’s this.
Amid worries of new blazes adding to the firestorm already afflicting the region, a man in Hesperia has been arrested on suspicion of arson, and police reported shooting and killing another arson suspect after chasing him out of scrub behind Cal State San Bernardino.
Law enforcement officials said today that they didn’t know whether either of the men had started any of the more than a dozen large fires that have devastated Southern California in recent days, including the nearby Lake Arrowhead blaze. The brush fire in Hesperia was quickly extinguished by residents…
The confrontation that ended in the shooting death started about 6 p.m. Tuesday when San Bernardino university police spotted a man in a rural area of flood channels and scrub near the campus. University police tried to detain the man, but he got into his car and fled, authorities said. When he began to ram officers’ vehicle, they shot him.
The suspect is described as a 27-year-old man with a home address in Arizona. Sheriff’s investigators will search his impounded pickup truck pending a search warrant, Lt. Scott Patterson of the San Bernardino Police Department said this afternoon.
No additional information, including his identity will be released until Thursday.
“We don’t know whether he was an arsonist,” Patterson said. “What was related by the Cal State police was that they tried to contact him as a suspicious person in a brush area. Things being how they are, there was a suspicion that he could be an arsonist.”
Over a thousand homes destroyed, over a million people evacuated and so far 5 dead as a result of the fires.
More: Allah had this story yesterday, but today it went from CBS having word in advance of the official arson announcement, to it being officially announced. I missed the substance of his post because I was out on a shoot all day yesterday, and I mean “shoot” very very literally.
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Somebody’s gonna be in some deep trouble.
aclark on October 25, 2007 at 10:54 AM
And here I thought it was George Bush causing Global Warming that caused the fires.
Queasy on October 25, 2007 at 10:55 AM
And at least one of the suspected arsonists is explaining things to his maker.
Somehow, I don’t think the excuses will fly.
Texas Nick 77 on October 25, 2007 at 10:57 AM
Could this be terrorism?
rising21 on October 25, 2007 at 11:00 AM
I haven’t been following the fires religiously, so could you clarify that a bit? Did someone die lighting one of these fires?
Savage on October 25, 2007 at 11:01 AM
They ran that old story about terrorists wanting to start wildfires, but I haven’t seen anything to suggest its anything more than nature and a couple criminals.
Also, the history of this area and wildfires doesn’t make it shocking that they have them this time of year, except for the magnitude and incredible devastation this time around.
Unless someone claims it or is caught, I think it is what it is.
sunny on October 25, 2007 at 11:07 AM
Terry Moran actually used the word “profile” last night on Nightline talking about what kind of criminal does this kind of thing. I thought profiling was insensitive and sometimes illegal.
BillLalor on October 25, 2007 at 11:08 AM
Someone trying to light a fire was shot and killed as he attempted to flee.
Queasy on October 25, 2007 at 11:11 AM
I hope it’s not another over-zealous firefighter, like that woman a few years ago. That was both horrible and pathetic.
robblefarian on October 25, 2007 at 11:14 AM
But….but…..I was told it was the fault of Global Warming, and ONLY the fault of global warming!
Vyce on October 25, 2007 at 11:18 AM
The arsonists, and God, should be charged with Carbon Release.
AZCON on October 25, 2007 at 11:18 AM
The arsonist wanted to bring awareness to the problem of global warming.
JammieWearingFool on October 25, 2007 at 11:26 AM
Starting brush fires would be pretty crappy terrorism. A vital element of terrorism is the immediacy of the realization that there has been an active attack–sort of a “shock and awe” factor. Even if a fire is determined to be arson, the time that’s passed all-but necessitates that the shock factor is minimized. (This is one of main reasons it’s annoying when 9/11 is refered to as a “tragedy” or a “disaster” rather than an “attack”: That it was a deliberate act was its defining attribute.)
That’s not to say a homebrew terrorist wouldn’t necessarily do it, merely that it’s objectively a poor tactic. Ecoterrorists have certainly employed it in the past. A lone jihadi certainly might, too, but I don’t think you’d see an organization like Al Qaeda wasting time with it.
Blacklake on October 25, 2007 at 11:26 AM
I try to be respectful of people, especially those with whom I disagree. Please pardon me as I step outside of myself to give a big black middle finger to every scumbag loser who would not denounce Glenn Beck’s ridiculous comments on the various California fires.
Such widespread destruction cannot be confined to any segment of the population; everybody in the burn areas and surrounding areas suffers - property damage, loss of life, loss of productivity. Even losing one’s family photos and heirlooms is horrible. I would never wish such indiscriminate, life-chaning tragedy on any group of people outside of Al-Qaeda.
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE read the comments from people in the affected areas in this HotAir post. Doriangray’s dispatches are gripping and frightening. Despite our mildly contentious exchanges in some comment threads, my heart and prayers are with him and others in the burn areas.
I have faced death in more circumstances than I wish to detail. Fire is certainly one of the most painful and wretched threats man has known outside of war. Even atheists who don’t believe in Heaven realize that fire is Hell.
Again, my prayers and well-wishes to those in harms way.
The Race Card on October 25, 2007 at 11:30 AM
Well, yes and no. Truthers have uncovered that it was an inside job! The arsonist was actually acting on behalf of global warming AND in conjunction with George W. Bush for his secret war on Greenpeace! Do you really think it’s just an accident that his initials are GW Bush (GW = Global Warming). The truth is out there.
Also, Code Pinko has been notified and will be protesting next week with green slime on their hands.
/sarc off
Lone Star on October 25, 2007 at 11:30 AM
I’m sure it was just satire, in an attempt to point out how BushMcHitlerBurton’s illegal war in Iraq for oil is causing global wormaing…
/sarcasm off
jdawg on October 25, 2007 at 11:34 AM
Maybe an illegal alien arsonist(s)?
Kokonut on October 25, 2007 at 11:42 AM
Quite so. It really fails to meet basic criteria for the fundamentals of terrorism…as a tool for sociopolitical change. Nobody is going to be scared into voting for sharia law because their house burned down…although it might inspire a few lynch mobs if it were true.
‘Terrorists’…jihadis…might engage in this kind of destruction to fight us on another front, however. Look at the disruption and expense caused by all this…for the cost of some gas and matches.
But no…even this is a minor insult, despite the salivating TV coverage…they cannot stop the American economic juggernaut with mere arson.
Ochlan on October 25, 2007 at 11:49 AM
Fifteen years ago I used to live and hike around the Poway reservoir, an area near SD that was hard hit in this fire. There were often “homeless” Hispanic men camped out/hanging out in those hills. I didn’t even understand at that time that they were illegals en route north. But there was a lot of camping and a lot of fires that could easily get out of control.
JiangxiDad on October 25, 2007 at 11:51 AM
What is the name of the man from Arizona that was shot and killed? What is the name of the other person they arrested?
Why did the Arizona man get in a car and try to ram a cruiser?
What prompted the cops to shoot to kill, versus disable?
James on October 25, 2007 at 11:57 AM
In the deranged liberal mind, it’s GOTTA be SOMEONE’S fault for everything. SOMEONE is to blame for homosexuals being homosexual, and someone has to be to blame for so called “global warming”.
The AMAZING thing is that FINALLY, Bush is NOT to blame for something!
NRA4Freedom on October 25, 2007 at 12:01 PM
Because we do not live in a Hollyweird fantasy land.
Weaponizing a vehicle will rightfully earn you a dirt nap.
The cop(s) did the right thing in this situation.
Ochlan on October 25, 2007 at 12:03 PM
I agree cops did the right thing. I just want to better understand the circumstances that brought it all about.
James on October 25, 2007 at 12:05 PM
1 billion dollars worth of damage, nearly took out the grid, hundreds of thousands of people not at work being productive. The economic impact is great. Not to mention the loss of homes, structures, and the potential loss of human life, luckily very few casualties.
Terrorists have expressed lighting fires and may have already done so in the American West in the past and in other countries such as Greece.
Fairly cheap and inexpensive to pull-off as well.
James on October 25, 2007 at 12:08 PM
I still think this isn’t terrorism (jihadi style), as the jihadi terrorists like a high body count. Could be eco-terrorism though.
Now if the arsonists had co-horts infiltrate EVAC centers and co-ordinate an attack post fire lighting (think Beslan style hostage situation) then I would believe it to be a terrorist attack for sure.
James on October 25, 2007 at 12:13 PM
Yes, but accomplishing such an act doesn’t award the terrorists with them virgins ya know. /semi-sarc off
df4jc on October 25, 2007 at 12:20 PM
As far as I know, the guy bolted, got in his vehicle and proceeded to ram the cop cars, thereby weaponizing his vehicle and presenting a credible threat to life…not for long, though ;-)
Ochlan on October 25, 2007 at 12:21 PM
Locally, true, but still short-lived. As far as the overall economy is concerned, it’s not even an annoying gnat.
Ochlan on October 25, 2007 at 12:26 PM
I just want to know what his name is. A name can add a lot to this story.
James on October 25, 2007 at 12:29 PM
I am hearing that the name will be released tomorrow.
James on October 25, 2007 at 12:40 PM
One of my coworkers has had to evacuate his home due to the arson fire. If they catch the perp I hope he gets a very long jail sentence.
Snidely Whiplash on October 25, 2007 at 12:48 PM
Better pray that it ain’t Ahmed or Jose…
Ochlan on October 25, 2007 at 1:00 PM
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/breakingnews/2007/10/six-undocumente.html
Not quite…but how dare they!
Kokonut on October 25, 2007 at 1:24 PM
I’ve become so cynical I’d even hypothesize that illegal aliens, frustrated by the decrease in construction jobs, might have motive to try to burn down some high dollar estates.
My husband who works with such people daily says they wouldn’t think that deep about fires, and that I’m being silly.
There have also been local reports that one of the big fires (Santiago, maybe?) was arson and was set in at least 2 separate locations by someone with knowledge of fire behavior. I hope it wasn’t a deranged fire fighter.
NTWR on October 25, 2007 at 1:48 PM
That’s their American DREAM folks…how dare you be so judgemental
Ochlan on October 25, 2007 at 1:56 PM
Whether the fires were set or caused by mother nature they do point out one thing. If the environmental “nutcases” had not prevented sensible forest maintenance measures the damage would have been much less and the fires contained much more quickly. As a country we need to stop these people from their “idiot” agenda.
duff65 on October 25, 2007 at 2:25 PM
Name of AZ man killed by the police is Russell Davis.
James on October 25, 2007 at 2:53 PM
Even with someone standing still it’s pretty hard to hit anything smaller than a paper plate (8″ circle). That pretty well leaves you with vital areas. Even if you are good enough to ’shoot them in the leg’ you have to worry about a lot of things - including where the bullet will go after passing through something small like that. The only ‘leg’ shot I know of that’s worth taking is a shot to the pelvis which is just about as likely to be fatal as a shot to COM (Center Of Mass).
Put someone in a vehicle and you’re lucky to get a COM shot and will probably have to go for a head shot. Head shot’s are trickier - there’s really just about a 2″ wide band around the head (level with the eyes) that you can be reasonably sure of penetration. Still, as long as you hit ‘em in the head it’ll probably get their attention.
The whole thing is that you’re shooting to stop the threat. Unfortunately for the perpetrators, most shots that will reliably stop someone are shots that can kill. Fortunately for the perpetrators handgun rounds are pretty survivable these days - except for well placed head shots which, as I noted, was probably what they had to take in this case.
All of which is a long way of saying that it’s a bad idea to attack someone.
KCSteve on October 25, 2007 at 3:02 PM
as I step outside of myself to give a big black middle finger
Ya okay. What if Jimbo tells you that Ricky called you the n-word. What if I know he didn’t.
Who should I denounce?
boris on October 25, 2007 at 3:11 PM
http://www.myfoxboston.com/myfox/pages/News/Detail?contentId=4739377&version=4&locale=EN-US&layoutCode=TSTY&pageId=3.3.1
An illegal alien?
Kokonut on October 25, 2007 at 7:58 PM
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/n/a/2007/10/24/state/n125813D95.DTL&tsp=1
Gorgonio Nava? Isn’t “Nava” a Hispanic name? Now the question comes down to this if it is the case, an illegal alien or not?
Kokonut on October 25, 2007 at 8:02 PM
The Race Card, conservnut, and all who care, thank you for your inquiries and good wishes. They are much appreciated.
Today the president was in the immediate vicinity. Was he with the governor? I’m not at home and only know from folks who called me and from what doriangrey posted on another thread.
The evacuation is over as of today and the neighbors came back. I’ll go home tomorrow night, exhausted to have observed from afar, with 150 homes burned not far away and 6 in the immediate neighborhood. It was very close on Tuesday and anything could have happened, but for a small windshift which didn’t materialize. Time to reconsider many things.
The arsonists should be tried on the spot and then thrown into the fires. This morning on FOX a psychologist said that they’re mainly antisocial types, who enjoy the havoc they initiate, youth who don’t know better and are bored, and I missed the 3rd category.
Entelechy on October 25, 2007 at 9:58 PM