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MIDDLETOWN, Calif. – Eleven months after the Valley fire tore through south Lake County, state officials released their conclusions as to the cause and discussed the next steps, including a review for possible criminal prosecution.
Chief Ken Pimlott, Cal Fire's director, came to Middletown on Wednesday to deliver the news that faulty electrical wiring at a residence was determined to be the cause of the fire.
The Cal Fire investigative report was released to the public Wednesday afternoon, about an hour and 15 minutes after local officials were briefed and given their copies of the report, according to Sheriff Brian Martin.
Right up to the document's release, local officials had indicated to Lake County News that they had no idea what Cal Fire's findings would be.
A copy of the final report can be found at http://calfire.ca.gov/fire_protection/fire_protection_firereports .
The third most damaging fire in California history burned from Sept. 12 to Oct. 6, 2015, wreaking most of the damage in just the first few days.
Altogether, 76,067 acres burned and 1,955 structures were destroyed, among them 1,349 homes.
Then there was the loss of human life. Bruce Burns, Robert Fletcher, Barbara McWilliams and Leonard Neft perished in the fire. A fifth person reported missing at that time, Robert Litchman, has never been found, Martin said.
Four Copter 104 firefighter crew members from the Boggs Mountain Helitack were injured, with Cal Fire officials reporting that one of the injured men was unable to return to his job due to his injuries.
Pimlott was accompanied at Wednesday's announcement by Sheriff Martin, District Attorney Don Anderson, District 5 Supervisor Rob Brown, County Administrative Officer Carol Huchingson and a host of other local officials.
Pimlott said Cal Fire's responsibility on incidents like the Valley fire “doesn't stop when the fire goes out.”
Noting that the Valley fire had begun just north of where they were standing, Pimlott said fire investigators began their work on the incident within hours, and were among the first to arrive on the scene. That investigative process concluded on Wednesday, he said.
“The investigation uncovered evidence that a residential electrical connection arced and ignited surrounding dry grass behind a home located on High Valley Road.”
Martin acknowledged that it has been a long, emotional year in the wake of the fire. “This has been a tragedy that has everyone that lives in Lake County, both directly and indirectly.”
He said the investigation had taken a long time, for a very good reason. “They wanted to make sure that they got it right.”
Martin referred to continual speculation about possible fire causes among community members, as well as information people submitted to law enforcement.
“It's fair to say there were hundreds of leads that investigators had to follow up on,” Martin said.
During the course of their work, Cal Fire investigators followed up with numerous community members who had made reports on the fire, chased down allegations that they couldn't confirm about one man setting a backfire, responded to a tweet from a teen with mental development issues who suggested that a book of matches lying in dry grass was responsible, as well as some leads they determined likely were altogether false.
Not long after the fire, investigators began interviewing John Pinch, who along with wife Cindy and friends Parker and Laura Mills have owned 8015 High Valley Road since 2009.
It was at that property that firefighters found the fire burning shortly after dispatch on Sept. 12. The home is the Pinches' main residence and a second home for the Mills. A shed and pickup were burned on the property but the home survived.
During the investigation, Pinch admitted to investigators that he installed an unpermitted wiring circuit – which was not installed to national standards – for a hot tub that Cal Fire said malfunctioned and ignited the fire. Parker Mills gave investigators similar details about the electrical circuit that Pinch had installed.
Investigators also looked at an area at Highway 175 and Gifford Springs Road where a second fire was reported after the Valley fire was under way. They searched the fire area but could find no signs of an ignition source.
Ultimately, Cal Fire Northern Region Law Enforcement Deputy Chief James Engel concluded that the fire on Gifford Springs Road was a spot fire from the main Valley fire, noting that he found no signs of arson or a power line that caused it.
He also attributed the main fire's source to Pinch's wiring, with the loose electrical connections arcing and igniting the dry grass on the property.
An ongoing process
The release of the report nearly a year after the fire broke out leaves local officials with a challenging case and, potentially, a short amount of time to make key decisions.
Martin said the final Cal Fire investigative report is being forwarded to the District Attorney's Office for review. “There's a process that needs to take place,” and additional time will be required, Martin said.
He urged the community to be patient, to provide information to authorities when they have it and to ask questions. In turn, he said authorities will work to answer questions and keep the community informed to the best of their ability.
Anderson, who by that point had only been able to briefly look at the report, said he couldn't go into the details of the case.
However, he said that first thing on Thursday he was turning the case over to his investigative staff for further inquiry, while his legal staff will determine if any crime has been committed and if the facts justify anyone being charged.
The report concluded that there was a misdemeanor violation of the Health and Safety Code referring to failing to take precautions to prevent fire when using objects that can start fires, and a violation of California Residential Code requiring proper permitting.
Anderson was asked for his opinion about what crimes the report conclusions fall under. He said that it was hard to know without having further reviewed the report. However, he explained that criminal law goes beyond mere negligence.
He also wasn't sure how much time he might have to act.
Misdemeanor cases have a statute of limitations of a year, leaving Anderson just 32 days to review the investigative report and make a determination on whether or not he can pursue a criminal filing.
If his office were to attempt to file felony charges, he said he would have another two years and 32 days due to the three-year statute of limitations.
Pimlott said all wildland fires are investigated for cause and origin, with negligence always considered.
He said Cal Fire will have discussions with the California Attorney General's Office on possible charging in concert with the work that Anderson's office does locally.
He added, “Every fire we investigate, we learn something from,” and that what has been gleaned from the Valley fire will be useful in approaching future incidents.
The release of the report was a milestone moment, but one that didn't appear to offer much satisfaction to the people whose lives were intimately and radically affected by the devastating incident.
Responses from Valley fire survivors have run the gamut of rage and disbelief, sorrow, resignation, to the determination to keep moving forward and looking for ways to keep the community safe.
Officials on Wednesday acknowledged the ongoing challenges the community is experiencing.
“Suppressing the fire was just the beginning. This community has really banded together to move forward,” said Pimlott.
He acknowledged, “The recovery process is slow, it's painful and it's difficult,” adding, “We're not done until the community's done.”
Supervisor Rob Brown said that while the release of the fire's cause is good news, it's also extremely important to focus on the community's strength and resilience.
As such, he urged the community to not be distracted by the fire cause and to continue to look toward recovery.
“Just stay focused on the positive, stay focused on moving forward, and allow the process to run its course, both criminally and civilly,” Brown said.
Email Elizabeth Larson at
CLEARLAKE, Calif. – A Washington state man wanted by law enforcement was arrested in Clearlake on Wednesday.
Justin Craig Johnson, 40, was taken into custody by sheriff's deputies and detectives, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
Brooks reported that on Wednesday Sheriff’s Major Crimes detectives received information that a wanted subject out of the state of Washington was in Lake County, with that individual identified as Johnson.
Johnson, a convicted felon, had an active felony warrant out of Washington for failure to appear on drug and weapon charges, Brooks said.
Brooks said Johnson was recently featured on Washington’s Most Wanted list and was listed to be extraditable in all 50 states.
Major Crimes Unit detectives and patrol deputies were able to locate a motorhome that Johnson was associated with in the parking lot of Walmart in Clearlake, Brooks said.
As deputies located the motorhome, Johnson was seen in the doorway of it. Brooks said detectives and patrol deputies quickly surrounded the motorhome and ordered Johnson to step out the vehicle.
Brooks said Johnson exited the motorhome and immediately tried to flee, but the detectives and deputies were able to take Johnson into custody after a short struggle with him.
Johnson was arrested for his active out of state warrant and resisting arrest. He was then transported to the Hill Road Correctional Facility where he was booked, Brooks said.
CLEARLAKE OAKS, Calif. – Authorities have arrested a man believed to be involved in a Lakeport burglary case.
David Paul Sander, 50, was arrested on Wednesday, according to Lt. Steve Brooks of the Lake County Sheriff's Office.
On Wednesday Lake County Sheriff’s Major Crimes Detectives served an arrest warrant in the 12000 block of Widgeon Way in Clearlake Oaks, Brooks said.
Brooks said the arrest warrant was obtained after an extensive investigation into a burglary that occurred in the 60 block of Soda Bay Road in Lakeport. The approximate value of the property lost was $14,000.
The suspect was identified as Sander with the assistance of video surveillance at the crime scene, Brooks said.
Brooks said Sander recently moved to Lake County from Alameda County.
Sander was booked at the Lake County Jail for burglary and grand theft. Sander remained in custody on Thursday with bail set at $115,000.
Anyone who has had recent dealings with Sander related to buying or selling property is encouraged to contact the Lake County Sheriff’s Office Major Crimes Detective Shamus Stafford at 707-262-4231.
NORTH COAST, Calif. – Authorities have arrested a woman on suspicion of setting more than a dozen roadside fires in the Geyserville area of Sonoma County on Tuesday.
Maria Acevedo, 26, of Geyserville was arrested on Tuesday evening, according to a report from Sgt. Spencer Crum of the Sonoma County Sheriff's Office.
Crum said that at 9 p.m. Tuesday Sonoma County Sheriff's deputies were called to the 13300 block of Skaggs Springs Road in Geyserville to assist a Cal Fire battalion chief with an arson investigation.
When the deputies arrived, they found that the battalion chief had detained a woman, identified as Acevedo, for setting fires in the area, Crum said.
During the course of the sheriff's office investigation, Crum said deputies learned that an alert property owner came across Acevedo, who was setting fires along the road.
Crum said the property owner stopped her from lighting the current fire and sought her assistance to put it out while he called for help.
Acevedo claimed to have been dropped off by her boyfriend in the very remote region of Sonoma County and she was setting fires so someone would come and help her, according to Crum.
“We determined that the woman set approximately 13 spot fires along the side of the road that encompassed a total of two acres burned,” Crum said. “During a search of her purse we located ammunition which she is not legally allowed to possess due to a previous felony conviction.”
The Cal Fire battalion chief was able to extinguish all the fires and Acevedo was arrested for arson, felon in possession of ammunition and an outstanding arrest for a drug-related charge, Crum said.
Crum said Acevedo was booked into the Sonoma County Jail and is being held on $45,000 bail.
LAKEPORT, Calif. – The thunder of very high performance boats, the gleam of beautiful vehicles and veterans will come together on Saturday, Aug. 13, in Lakeport’s Library Park as the 2016 Lakeside Car & Boat Show celebrates a fun day in honor of those who have served.
High-performance boat runs on Clear Lake and a salute to veterans along with some great vendors, local beer, food and beautiful pin-up ladies are all part of a fund raiser for Operation Tango Mike.
The event starts at 8 a.m. and goes until 3 p.m. and is free to the public.
Very high performance boats will make demonstration passes from the Fifth Street boat launch in the morning while vehicles and boats from as far away as Los Angeles and Washington state descend on Lakeport and sparkle in the sun.
“The city of Lakeport and county of Lake, the sheriff’s office and Lakeport Police Department have bent over backwards to help make this event happen,” said co-promoter Tony Barthel.
It all kicks off Friday, Aug. 12, at Bicoastal Media’s Concert in the Park featuring the band Decades. A large number of participants have committed to enjoy the music followed by “A Night of Fire” where alcohol-fueled boats will start up and shoot blue flames into the night sky.
On Saturday, Aug. 13, the show goes on with vehicles lining the streets and boats taking to the water around Library Park. A special lane has been designated on Clear Lake coordinated by the Coast Guard Auxiliary allowing these extreme boats to show what they can do – the fastest one will earn a trophy.
In addition, there will be a “cacklefest” where boats are measured for sound by Sheriff Brian Martin who will award one boat for the loudest engine. In fact Lake County businesses have stepped up with dozens of trophies for vehicles and boats of all kinds along with some first-rate raffle prizes.
All funds raised during this event will be donated to Operation Tango Mike which sends care packages to troops serving overseas. Raffle prizes and photos with pin ups are the show will raise money for this charity.
“We have so many high-value vehicles registered we have a special parking lot just for them,” said the show’s co-promoter Dave Lakatos, referring to the Third Street parking lot where extreme value vehicles will be parked.
In addition, there will be military vehicles as well as an incredible variety of other cars and trucks along with boats as well.
There is no charge for the public to attend this show and there will be a rock climbing wall, face painting as well as a variety of food and crafts from local vendors. “Part of our goal was to make this event a showcase for Lake County,” said Barthel in reference to choosing all locally-made food, beer and crafts for the vendors row.
More information as well as vehicle and boat registration can be found at www.curbside.tv .
There is no charge for the public to attend and a nice variety of local vendors, craft beer, a face painter, rock climbing wall and much more will be in Lakeport’s Library Park to enjoy along with beautiful vehicles of all eras, incredible boats all set to the soundtrack of summer by Sounds Like FUN! DJ service.
For information, maps, vehicle registrations, sponsorship opportunities and more visit www.curbside.tv .
CHESTER, Calif. – Lake Almanor will be the place to be the weekend of Aug. 19 through 21 as they celebrate the extraordinary “dancing” grebes with the inaugural Grebe Festival centered in Chester.
There will be a diverse assortment of activities for all to enjoy during the festival.
The event will start with a grebe research symposium on Friday for those interested in the more scientific aspect of the grebes, their ecology and conservation.
Later in the evening, folks can partake in the beer stroll around Old Towne Chester to benefit Plumas Audubon Society and partner sponsor, Feather River Land Trust.
Saturday and Sunday will be filled with activities for all ages and interests.
Choose from a wide variety of events: pontoon and kayak tours, field trips to Chester Meadows, historic Olsen Barn property, Willow Lake, north fork of Feather River, and Humbug Valley, or Tasmam Koyom as the Maidu call it.
There also will be crafts and nature activities in the Almanor Recreation Center, 400 Meadowbrook Loop, Chester, for fun and education.
Some of these family activities will be geared toward children, and there are also field trips and a picnic day geared toward youngsters.
The purpose of the Grebe Festival is to celebrate the conservation of these charismatic and interesting birds while at the same time giving people a chance to enjoy themselves.
The field trips and events that Plumas Audubon has planned will cover many aspects of nature enjoyment and some also have historical significance.
All of the trips will offer the chance to see Lake Almanor Basin’s wide diversity of bird life including sandhill cranes, bald eagles, osprey, pelicans, phalaropes and other shorebirds.
Several of these trips offer the opportunity to learn about this area’s deep connection with the Maidu culture and pioneer life.
All of the trips offer the chance to get close to, and learn about, many aspects of nature enjoyment such as dragonfly watching, field journaling, insects and plants.
If you cannot make it to a field trip, there will be two documentary movies, "The Messenger" and “Searching for the Gold Spot,” offered Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon at the Mount Lassen Theater in Chester, and continuing programs at the Almanor Rec Center such as "How to Draw a Better Bird," and a silent auction for some beautiful bird art, including some Bill Peters prints.
A youth art exhibit with original artwork from our Grebe Festival Art Contest will adorn the walls of the Almanor Rec Center during the festival.
Registration is now open. Some of the field trips require a fee. Everyone is asked to pre-register.
Check out the fieldtrips and activities at www.plumasaudubon.org/grebe-festival .