The so-called “Holy Fire,” which started burning in California’s Cleveland National Park on Aug. 6 and had been 91 percent contained, has burst back into life.
The fire, which ravaged 22,986 acres in Orange and Riverside counties, started on Aug. 6, likely as the result of arson. A disgruntled and potentially unstable homeowner allegedly set his neighbors’ homes on fire, and the flames spread throughout the National Park.
The Cleveland National Park website announced on Aug. 21, that the fire was 91 percent contained, and projected that it would be completely extinguished by Sept. 1. Some news outlets reported on Aug. 27 that the fire was entirely out, based on an incident alert on the Cal Fire website.
Then around 10 a.m. on Aug. 27, a stationary camera on top of Santiago Peak showed a flare-up, which quickly spread to engulf 150 acres.
Some new activity is occurring around the #HolyFire. This will be very visible from surrounding communities. Resources have been dispatched and are responding with cooperators. Please refer questions to the Trabuco Ranger District 951-736-1811 pic.twitter.com/fgRz2uMAOa
— Cleveland NF (@ClevelandNF) August 27, 2018
Tankers and Choppers
Orange County Fire Authority reposted a tweet around 11 a.m. local time on Aug. 27, that it was sending five air tankers and four helicopters to do water drops on the new flare-up, with ground crews to be deployed when the fire is beaten back to the point where it is safe to send firefighters in on foot.
The #HolyFire flareup has slopped outside of containment lines and has grown to 40 acres. 5 air tankers and 4 helicopters have been assigned. Ground resources will be utilized when it is safe to do so.
— Cleveland NF (@ClevelandNF) August 27, 2018
There were no homes near the new flare-up. The Fire Authority was concerned about several communications towers atop Santiago peak, the highest point in Orange County.
The towers serve law enforcement, including police, CHP and fire officials, as well as public broadcast television and commercial radio and television stations, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Carrie Braun told the Orange County Register.
Started by Arson?
Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Forrest Gordon Clark, 51, on Aug. 7 on suspicion of two counts of arson, one count of felony threat to terrorize, and one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, the Orange County Register reported. His bail was set at $1 million.
Clark, who owns a cabin in Holy Jim Canyon, apparently sent emails saying “This place will burn” to Volunteer Fire Chief Mike Milligan a week before the fire started.
Clark’s cabin was one of over a dozen clustered in Holy Jim’s Canyon—and the only one not consumed by the flames.
#HolyFire Arrest.
Forrest Gordon Clark sent an email warning “this place will burn”https://t.co/O6Uhu2f3e0— Max News Media℠ (@MaxNewsMedia) August 8, 2018
According to Milligan, who owned one of the destroyed cabins, Clark had an ongoing feud with all his neighbors, and particularly with Milligan.
When deputies arrived to question him, Clark stripped naked except for a large gold medallion, and began shouting at the deputies.
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