Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your year-end tax-deductible gift now.
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
-
Government sources say that for the last six weeks, they’ve been ordered not to release undocumented children in federal custody to their parents and relatives. -
Apartment hunters with rental assistance were not welcome at many Jamison buildings, in apparent violation of California law, a Capital & Main investigation found. -
The Cedars-Sinai doctor who delivered the baby successfully said the odds of this outcome were “far less than one in a million.” -
Education researchers say happier teachers are more likely to stay and that stability can be good for long-term learning outcomes. -
A Rolex found amid the rubble of the Palisades Fire tests the skill of a popular YouTuber dedicated to watch restoration. -
Fans have until Jan. 13 to enter the draw for a chance to buy tickets. Results will be announced in February.
Best of LAist
