Estimated read time: Less than a minute
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
CAMINO, Calif. (AP) — Authorities have charged a 37-year-old man with deliberately starting a wildfire in Northern California that's driven nearly 2,800 people from their homes.
District Attorney Vern Pierson declined to say what led investigators to the suspect, Wayne Huntsman. He also would not comment on a possible motive in the case, saying the investigation was ongoing.
California fire officials say fire had burned through 111 square miles as winds surged to 25 mph. The fire has been fueled by heavy timber and dry grass.
Many of the 12,000 threatened homes are in Pollock Pines, 60 miles east of Sacramento. Though the fire grew substantially late Wednesday, it burned mostly into wilderness land in the El Dorado National Forest away from the town.
Fire crews are focusing on clearing brush and building containment lines near threatened communities.
Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
