A father and son were arrested Wednesday on suspicion of starting a massive California wildfire that destroyed many homes and forced tens of thousands of people to flee Lake Tahoe communities earlier this year, authorities said.
David Scott Smith, 66, and his son, Travis Shane Smith, 32, are accused of reckless arson in a warrant issued before formal charges are filed, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s office said.
Mark Reichel, the attorney for both men, said they were arrested Wednesday afternoon and that reckless arson means starting a blaze by accident but “to such a degree that it was considered reckless.”
Authorities allege they caused homes to burn and people to be seriously injured in the fire that began in August. The Caldor fire scorched more than 346 square miles (897 square kilometers) from east of Sacramento to the Nevada border, threatening ski resorts and other prominent recreational areas.
...It was one of two massive fires last summer that for the first time in modern history crossed the Sierra Nevada range.
...Reichel, the men’s lawyer, said: “They are absolutely 100% innocent.”
Reichel said he did not know details of the accusation, such as how authorities allege the fire was set.
He said Travis Smith is an electrician and was with his father near where the fire started. The son called 911 to report seeing flames, Reichel said.
The son made several 911 calls because the calls kept dropping in the rugged area, and both men also warned campers about the fire, Reichel said.
“Neither one has ever been in trouble with the law in their life. They’re very law-abiding people,” he said...MORE
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