Saturday, June 20, 2009

Angora Fire: Can't Arrest "Person of Interest"

Cops Lack Evidence, Can't Arrest "Person of Interest" In Angora Fire

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. (AP) -- Investigators say they lack evidence to arrest a "person of interest" in a 2007 catastrophic wildfire on Lake Tahoe's south shore, but the case remains a high priority.

Wednesday marks the two-year anniversary of the blaze that destroyed 254 homes, caused $140 million in property damage and scorched 3,100 acres.

Bill Dillard, an investigator with the El Dorado County district attorney's office, said he continues to follow up leads in the case.

Investigators think the Angora fire was caused by sparking embers from a campfire at a popular party spot near South Lake Tahoe.

But Dillard said they don't have probable cause to make an arrest yet because of a lack of evidence linking the person to the scene.

He said probable cause is hard to establish in wildfires because evidence is destroyed and witnesses are scarce.

The district attorney's office and U.S. Forest Service have spent hundreds of hours and sorted through hundreds of tips concerning who started the campfire near Seneca Pond.

High winds fanned flames and quickly moved the fire toward homes.

Source: news10.net - Link

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****REMINDER**** Every fire has the ability to be catastrophic. The wildland fire management environment has profoundly changed. Growing numbers of communities, across the nation, are experiencing longer fire seasons; more frequent, bigger, and more severe, fires are a real threat. Be careful with all campfires and equipment.

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts, and beer." --Abraham Lincoln

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