Embers fly from a tree as the Caldor Fire burns along Highway 50 in Eldorado National Forest, California, on Wednesday, September 1, 2021. (AP Photo/Noah Berger)
EL DORADO COUNTY, California (KRON) – A father and son have been arrested for reckless arson in connection with California’s Caldor Fire, the district attorney’s office announced on Monday. Facebook. Each person is subject to a $1 million bail after an investigation by multiple agencies.
David Scott Smith, 66, and Travis Shane Smith, 32, were arrested under Ramey’s subpoena, meaning the warrants were issued prior to criminal charges. Charges are expected to take place within the next 48 hours and are expected to be sorted out later this week, according to the DA office.
An attorney for both men told Nexstar’s KTXL that the pair allegedly called 911 and notified campers about the fire. He added that both were charged with illegally firing a weapon.
The Caldor Fire began in Eldorado National Forest on August 14, destroying more than 1,000 structures, including more than 770 homes, and burning more than 221,835 acres as it moved south of Lake Tahoe . The fire was completely extinguished on October 21, nearly 70 days after it started.
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FILE – Seen with prolonged exposure to the camera, the Caldor Fire burns at the Sierra-at-Tahoe ski resort on Monday, August 30, 2021, in the Eldorado National Forest, California . A father and son have been arrested on suspicion of starting a major scuffle, officials said Wednesday, December 8, 2021. The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that David Scott Smith and His son, Travis Shane Smith, was charged with reckless arson in an order issued before formal charges were filed. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File) -
FILE – Seen for a long time by camera, chimneys stand at residential areas leveled by the Caldor Fire along Highway 50 on August 29, 2021, in Eldorado National Forest, California. A father and son have been arrested on suspicion of starting a major California wildfire, officials said Wednesday, December 8, 2021. The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that David Scott Smith and his son, Travis Shane Smith, were charged. about reckless arson in a warrant issued before formal charges were filed. (AP Photo/Noah Berger, File) -
FILE – Firefighter Elroy Valadez sprays water on spot fires from the Caldor Fire burning along Highway 89 near South Lake Tahoe, California, on September 2, 2021. A father and son have been arrested on suspicion of starting a fire. a large wildfire in California. Officials said Wednesday, December 8, 2021. The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that David Scott Smith and his son, Travis Shane Smith, were charged with reckless arson in a Subpoenas were issued before formal charges were filed. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong, File) -
FILE— A firefighter lights a fire to prevent the Caldor Fire from spreading near South Lake Tahoe, California, Wednesday, September 1, 2021. A father and son were arrested on suspicion of starting a large California wildfire. caused tens of thousands of people to flee the Lake Tahoe area earlier this year, officials said Wednesday, December 8, 2021. The El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office said in a statement that David Scott Smith and his son, Travis Shane Smith, were charged with reckless arson in an order issued before formal charges were filed. (AP Photo / Jae C. Hong, File)
According to Cal Fire, 18 people were injured in the fire.
The fire also threatened many ski resorts, including Sierra-at-Tahoe Resort, where it scorched chairs and trees. President Joe Biden took an aerial tour of the land burned by the Caldor Fire while visiting the Western states in September.
“These flames are flashing ‘code red’ for our nation. They are increasing in frequency and intensity,” says Biden. “We know what we have to do.”
https://kfor.com/news/u-s-world/father-and-son-arrested-for-arson-in-connection-to-californias-caldor-fire-da/ Father and son arrested for arson in connection with Caldor fire in California: DA
