firefighterjosh
10-31-2007, 03:41 AM
http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/31/fire.california/index.html
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- A juvenile playing with matches started a Southern California wildfire that wound up scorching more than 38,000 acres and destroying 63 structures, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday.
A firefighter talks on a radio while battling the Buckweed blaze on October 22.
The Buckweed Fire began about 2 p.m. (5 p.m. ET) on October 21 in the Agua Dulce community.
Authorities immediately began an investigation, and a day later identified the male juvenile as a suspect, according to a report issued by the sheriff's department.
"After talking with the suspect, he admitted playing with matches and starting the fire," the report said.
The boy, whose name and age were not given, was released to the custody of his parents, police said. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County district attorney for possible charges.
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In Depth: California Wildfires
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Buckweed Fire burned 38,526 acres.
Sixty-three structures, 21 of them homes, were destroyed, and three civilians and two firefighters were injured.
The sheriff's department said the fire forced the evacuation of about 15,000 people from their homes.
As of Tuesday, 18 of 23 wildfires in Southern California were 100 percent contained, and the remainder were at least 70 percent contained, according to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The fires are blamed for 14 deaths and charred a total of more than 508,000 acres, destroying about 1,600 homes. E-mail to a friend
LOS ANGELES, California (CNN) -- A juvenile playing with matches started a Southern California wildfire that wound up scorching more than 38,000 acres and destroying 63 structures, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department said Tuesday.
A firefighter talks on a radio while battling the Buckweed blaze on October 22.
The Buckweed Fire began about 2 p.m. (5 p.m. ET) on October 21 in the Agua Dulce community.
Authorities immediately began an investigation, and a day later identified the male juvenile as a suspect, according to a report issued by the sheriff's department.
"After talking with the suspect, he admitted playing with matches and starting the fire," the report said.
The boy, whose name and age were not given, was released to the custody of his parents, police said. The case will be presented to the Los Angeles County district attorney for possible charges.
Don't Miss
In Depth: California Wildfires
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the Buckweed Fire burned 38,526 acres.
Sixty-three structures, 21 of them homes, were destroyed, and three civilians and two firefighters were injured.
The sheriff's department said the fire forced the evacuation of about 15,000 people from their homes.
As of Tuesday, 18 of 23 wildfires in Southern California were 100 percent contained, and the remainder were at least 70 percent contained, according to the Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The fires are blamed for 14 deaths and charred a total of more than 508,000 acres, destroying about 1,600 homes. E-mail to a friend