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Police arrest man suspected of arson in the massive California wildfire Police arrest man suspected of arson in the massive California wildfire
(35 minutes later)
Authorities in California announced Thursday that they have arrested a man suspected of arson in connection to the massive, growing wildfire burning tens of thousands of acres east of Sacramento. Authorities in California said Thursday they had arrested a man suspected of arson in connection to the massive, growing wildfire burning tens of thousands of acres east of Sacramento.
Wayne Allen Huntsman, 37, was arrested Wednesday night, El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini said at a news conference.Wayne Allen Huntsman, 37, was arrested Wednesday night, El Dorado County Sheriff John D’Agostini said at a news conference.
Authorities provided few details regarding the precise nature of the investigation and Huntsman’s arrest because the investigation is still ongoing, according to Vern Pierson, district attorney for El Dorado.Authorities provided few details regarding the precise nature of the investigation and Huntsman’s arrest because the investigation is still ongoing, according to Vern Pierson, district attorney for El Dorado.
A criminal complaint filed by Pierson’s office says that Huntsman “willfully and maliciously” set the fire. This complaint also says that an emergency responder “suffered great bodily injury” due to the fire.A criminal complaint filed by Pierson’s office says that Huntsman “willfully and maliciously” set the fire. This complaint also says that an emergency responder “suffered great bodily injury” due to the fire.
Police do not believe anyone else was involved in starting this fire, Pierson said. Huntsman’s bail has been set at $10 million.Police do not believe anyone else was involved in starting this fire, Pierson said. Huntsman’s bail has been set at $10 million.
The King fire began last week in El Dorado County and had been growing at a rapid clip, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (also known as Cal Fire).The King fire began last week in El Dorado County and had been growing at a rapid clip, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (also known as Cal Fire).
This fire has already spread across 71,000 and “continues to grow,” said Mike Kaslin, unit chief for Cal Fire in El Dorado. It had been moving about two or three miles each day since it began on Saturday, but it moved north about 15 miles on Wednesday, an incredible amount of growth over such a small span of time.This fire has already spread across 71,000 and “continues to grow,” said Mike Kaslin, unit chief for Cal Fire in El Dorado. It had been moving about two or three miles each day since it began on Saturday, but it moved north about 15 miles on Wednesday, an incredible amount of growth over such a small span of time.
Satellite imagery of #KingFire rapid growth (50k+ acres in 24hr) producing smoke to #Nevada, #Oregon & #Idaho http://t.co/z9hVKGC1mM — NWS Boise (@NWSBoise) September 18, 2014
Satellite imagery of #KingFire rapid growth (50k+ acres in 24hr) producing smoke to #Nevada, #Oregon & #Idaho http://t.co/z9hVKGC1mM
— NWS Boise (@NWSBoise) September 18, 2014
There are more than 6,600 firefighters spreading across the state fighting 10 major wildfires, and more than 4,000 of them are combating the King fire.There are more than 6,600 firefighters spreading across the state fighting 10 major wildfires, and more than 4,000 of them are combating the King fire.
About 3,000 people have been evacuated due to this fire, which is threatening about 12,000 residences, Kaslin said.About 3,000 people have been evacuated due to this fire, which is threatening about 12,000 residences, Kaslin said.
No structures have been destroyed so far, but vehicles have been, he said. Scores of homes remain potentially at risk as the fire continues to burn.No structures have been destroyed so far, but vehicles have been, he said. Scores of homes remain potentially at risk as the fire continues to burn.
There have been a few injuries reported stemming from the fire, which Cal Fire said is costing about $5 million a day, but police did not provide any other details.There have been a few injuries reported stemming from the fire, which Cal Fire said is costing about $5 million a day, but police did not provide any other details.