Rim Fire was caused by hunter’s illegal campfire
The huge Rim Fire, the 4th largest wildfire in California history, was cause by a hunter’s illegal campfire that got away from him!
According to an SFGate.com article which contains 38 images of the fire:
The hunter, whose name has not been released, started an illegal campfire while traveling in remote wilderness within the Stanislaus National Forest, about three miles east of the Sierra foothill town of Groveland, the U.S. Forest Service said.
The campfire grew into a wildfire Aug. 17 and has since burned more than 370 square miles, both in the national forest and nearby Yosemite. The fire is the fourth largest in California history and has destroyed 111 structures, including 11 homes, forest service officials said.
The forest service indicated it had identified the hunter, but said it would withhold his name as the investigation continued. No charges have been filed.
Penalties for starting a damaging wildfire vary, but have historically ranged from fines to community service to prison time – even when ignition is accidental.
The Rim Fire started several hundred feet about the Clavey River in a rarely visited section of forest that has no roads or designated trails, but which is popular for deer hunting. Hunters are not required to register their visits to the area. There were no lightning strikes in the area when the fire began, and marijuana farms were considered to be unlikely because of the steep terrain and lack of water for irrigation.
The Rim Fire is 80% contained, as of today, but is expected to smolder into the fall rainy season. The cost of fighting the fire is currently at $77 million.
-Bill at
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