The Holy Fire, which has burned 22,714 acres in Southern California and is 52% contained as of Aug. 13, was captured on a timelapse video as it began as a waft of smoke and later evolved into a giant dark cloud.
Among 14 active wildfires across California, the Holy Fire started on Aug. 6 in Holy Jim Canyon of the Cleveland National Forest. Triple-digit temperatures along with low humidity helped the fire to spread out of control. Within three days, the Holy Fire had claimed more than 10,000 acres of land.
California Governor Jerry Brown declared a state of emergency for Orange and Riverside Counties on Aug. 9 due to the fire. In the following days, the fire forced thousands to evacuate, and destroyed at least 18 structures within the two counties.
51-year-old suspect Forrest Gordon Clark was arrested Aug. 7 and charged with arson, making criminal threats and resisting arrest, according to Reuters.
The Orange County Register reported that Holy Jim Volunteer Fire Chief Mike Milligan received an email from Clark saying, “This place will burn.”
However, Clark denied the arson charge during a court hearing. He claimed his life was being threatened and the charge against him was a lie.
Clark’s bail was set at $1 million dollars, and he could face up to life in prison if convicted.
Authorities estimated the Holy Fire will be fully contained by Aug. 17.
