PORTERVILLE (KMJ) — The Sheriff of Tulare County has revealed that the Pier Fire inside Sequoia National Forest started after someone set a car on fire and pushed it off the side of a cliff.
The news comes as the blaze near Porterville continues to spread, but the weather is starting to help crews battle the flames.
Containment continues to climb, and lines near Sequoia Crest are holding.
“Just a very huge catastrophic fire in our area, but it is human related, human caused,” confirms Sheriff Mike Boudreaux.
“The U.S. Forest Service have a law enforcement component. They are investigating this case, not the Sheriff’s Office.”
As the crime took place on federal property, it will be investigated as a federal offense.
“I know that they have some good information and leads that they’re following up on, of which I’m not at liberty to discuss, but I know that they’re working pretty much around the clock on this case to locate the suspects.”
Mandatory evacuations remain in place for residents of Sequoia Crest, Mountain Aire, Rogers Camp, Pierpoint Springs, Cedar Slope, Camp Nelson, Doyle Springs, Alpine Village, and Wishon.
The American Red Cross evacuation shelter remains inside Porterville College’s student center.
Click here for the latest information on the Pier Fire.
