Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
Involuntary Manslaughter Charges For Couple Whose Gender Reveal Party Sparked El Dorado Fire
The Eldorado Fire as viewed from El Dorado Ranch Park.
(
Courtesy Zach Behrens, USFS
)
A couple whose gender reveal ceremony sparked the 22,000-acre El Dorado Fire that killed a veteran firefighter have been charged with involuntary manslaughter.
Refugio Manuel Jimenez Jr. and Angela Renee Jimenez pleaded not guilty to charges related to the fire. The El Dorado Fire broke out last September after investigators say the two set off a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device at a park in Yucaipa.
Charles Morton, 39, was killed while battling the fire. Morton was a 14-year veteran of the U.S. Forest Service. Two other firefighters were injured, and the flames destroyed five homes and 15 other structures.
Big Bear Interagency Hotshot Charles Morton was killed battling the El Dorado wildfire in 2020. The couple responsible for sparking the fire is now facing involuntary manslaughter charges.
(
Mario Tama
/
Getty Images
)
Support for LAist comes from
It also forced thousands of people to leave their homes under mandatory evacuation orders. At the fire's peak, officials said more than 1,300 people were working to contain the fire and keep people safe.
San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson announced the charges Tuesday. The couple faces 22 misdemeanors, and eight felony counts.
"The conditions that were created that led to the firefighter's death were a direct result of the fire in the first place," Anderson said at news conference Tuesday night.
"I mean he's fighting a fire that was started because of a smoke bomb. That's the only reason he's there."
The couple was released without bail. Their next court date is September 15th.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline. -
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.
Best of LAist