This story is free to read because readers choose to support LAist. If you find value in independent local reporting, make a donation to power our newsroom today.
The Couple That Caused The El Dorado Fire At Their Gender Reveal Has Pleaded Guilty
Smoke from the El Dorado Fire that started Sept. 5, 2020 in San Bernardino National Forest.
(
Zach Behrens
/
US Forest Service
)
The couple who caused 2020's deadly El Dorado Fire in the San Bernardino Mountains has pleaded guilty to charges including involuntary manslaughter and recklessly causing fire to inhabited structures.
How it happened: In high September heat, the couple set off a smoke bomb at their gender reveal party sparking a fire which quickly spread and threatened communities in the San Bernardino Mountains.
The charges: Refugio Jimenez Jr. pled guilty to three felony charges, including a charge of involuntary manslaughter. Angelina Jimenez pled guilty to three misdemeanor charges.
The punishment: Refugio Jimenez Jr. faces a year in jail, 200 hours of community service, and two years of felony probation, according to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's office on Friday. Angelina Jimenez will face 400 hours of community service and one year of probation. The couple was also ordered to pay over $1.7 million in damages.
The damage: The El Dorado fire killed one firefighter and burned more than 22,000 acres in Riverside and San Bernardino counties over two months.
Trending on LAist
-
The company behind Sriracha told us production has resumed. -
Dustin Bartz has figured out a way to sell a $6 smashburger — and still make a tidy profit. He enjoys trolling competitors who charge more. -
How To LAPasadena and South Pasadena are go-to destinations for film location scouts on the lookout for stand-ins for the Midwest and East Coast. -
Half of all Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep tracked by scientists died last winter, leaving a total population of around 360 animals. -
In December 2020, Sadie and Eddie Martinez were falsely accused of attempted kidnapping by a white woman. This is the story of Sadie's fight to clear their names and bring her accuser to justice. -
The vibrant neighborhood crams 700 restaurants into a roughly two-mile radius, while many workers cram themselves into overcrowded apartments.
Best of LAist
