A 71-year-old man has been arrested for allegedly starting a devastating massive forest fire in Yosemite National Park that was previously thought to have been caused by climate change.
Edward Fredrick Wackerman of Mariposa, Calif., was busted Friday on suspicion of arson for allegedly igniting the Oak Fire, which destroyed 127 homes, caused thousands of people to evacuate, and ravaged nearly 20,000 acres of vegetation in July 2022. [emphasis, links added]
The suspect is facing charges of suspicion of aggravated arson, arson that causes great bodily injury, and arson causing damage or destruction of inhabited structures, the California Department of Forestry said.
It isn’t clear how Wackerman may have started the blaze or what finally led to his arrest. Mariposa County District Attorney Walter Wall said a Tuesday press conference on the case is planned.
“Ed Wackerman is facing several felony charges, including aggravated arson. These charges carry serious legal consequences and the District Attorney is committed to ensuring a fair trial and upholding justice,” Wall said in a statement posted online.
“Currently, the investigation is under review by our office. Due to the sensitive nature of the case and the rights of the defendant, we cannot disclose anything other than what has been released in the Cal Fire press release,” he added.
At the height of the massive blaze, about 6,000 people living in the nearby mountain communities were ordered by officials to flee their homes.
While no one was killed in the ginormous inferno, the fire injured three firefighters, scorched 30 square miles of land, and destroyed 127 homes and 66 outbuildings.
At the time, smoke from the fire drifted more than 200 miles, reaching Lake Tahoe, parts of Nevada, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
California has experienced increasingly larger and deadlier wildfires in recent years from what scientists say is the result of climate change. [Officials] initially believed that’s what caused the Oak Fire.
The Oak Fire was just one of several devastating blazes that charred California last year.
UPDATE: Turns out the firebug was someone who financially supported Democrat politicians as well as the Lincoln Project.
Democrat Donor Arrested for Starting Massive Fire Democrats Blamed on Climate Change https://t.co/KmjsbGM3qh
— Washington Free Beacon (@FreeBeacon) June 19, 2023
Read rest at NY Post
Is there room for another colour on the inclusiveness flag? Pyromaniacs, barn burners, firebugs, they all new love too. Stop the hatred.
As always the M.S. Media jumps the gun and blames is all of Global Warming/Climate Change and it turns out to be Arson. The M.S. Media should apologize to the people for their Lies
Ever wonder who these so-called scientists are that the media always quote as saying is caused by climate change? They are never listed for one to find out who they are, what their expertise is, etc.
Causes of many bush fires in Australia have been difficult to explain. It is often as much as 50% likely that arson was the cause because there was no other explanation for ignition.
Many fires start near roads. That should be the first indicator for arson. Firebugs don’t travel into remote areas to start fires because they need to be sure of a quick get-away so they aren’t caught.
That 50% is a marvelous number because it also applies to the number of fires actually started by arsonists. That means at least half of all summertime fires that inflict so much devestation on communities is caused by a mentally deranged human and that person is 99% of the time, male.
Saw one comment elsewhere talking about the multiple fires in Canada. For starting fires – aerial drones.
Hi Graham, Here down-under, some fires that start on road-sides aren’t intentionally arson, but vehicle problem related. EG: Trucks with overheating brakes that pull-over near areas with dry grass. We had a couple of fires that started this way near our place last summer.Fortunately, the local Rural Fire Service were onto them quickly, so no property damage.
Apart from arson, the main reason fires in Australia cause so much damage is we are not doing enough in the cooler seasons to prepare for summer. Cleaning up dead and dry material from around homes, plus burning bush areas near residential areas are all essential. Not enough burning off is done. One other area that’s always concerned me is trees growing very close to the side of roads and of course the other lower vegetation under those trees. When fire comes, this is the reason people can be trapped and roads closed.
Country roads should be considered fire-breaks so that people can move away when fires occur. Road-sides need to be clear of any conbustible material for 20 metres each side.
Currently in south-east Arizona, at 4,600 feet. A week ago (Thursday) our power went off at 0800. My wife’s comment, “A vehicle and a power pole.” She was right, but we didn’t know about the fire started by the downed lines. At the far end of town, about a mile downwind from us. Arizona Public Service originally forecast 1215 for power restoration. When they made that prediction the fire was small. It’s was 1500 when we got power back on.
Drove to the site next day, eyeball guessed the extent at about 200 acres. The local weekly newspaper comes out on Fridays, their figure was 150 acres.