FRESNO (KMJ) — A man has been charged in connection with starting the flames which led to the Cedar Fire.
The blaze consumed 29,322 acres in both Kern and Tulare Counties.
On Thursday the Department of Justice announced the arrest of Angel Gilberto Garica-Avalos, from Michoacán in southern Mexico.
He’s facing the allegation of causing the fire on federal land, as well as two separate counts of making false statements to U.S. Forest Service law enforcement officers.
The complaint alleges that the 29 year old drove into the Sequoia National Forest on August 16th, and sparks from the car’s muffler and catalytic convertor sparked the Cedar Fire.
If convicted, he may be ordered to pay restitution for the costs of battling the blaze.
Hear the story from KMJ’s Dominic McAndrew as it aired:
