Couple whose gender reveal party reportedly sparked deadly wildfire charged with involuntary manslaughter, face up to 20 years in prison



Authorities have charged a couple whose gender reveal celebration reportedly sparked a raging wildfire with felony involuntary manslaughter and other charges after a firefighter lost his life battling the blaze.

If convicted on the charge, the couple could face up to 20 years in prison.

What are the details?

San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson announced charges against Refugio Manuel Jiminez Jr. and Angela Renee Jiminez at a recent news conference, Buzzfeed News reported.

According to the report, both Refugio and Angela pleaded not guilty to one felony count of manslaughter, three felony counts of recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury, four felony counts of recklessly causing a fire to inhabited structures, and 22 misdemeanors of recklessly causing fire to property after 22,000 acres burned in 2020 after the couple lit a smoke bomb to announce the gender of their then-unborn child.

NPR reported Tuesday that the El Dorado Fire erupted in early September when the couple staged their gender reveal at El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa, California.

The fire erupted after the couple's "smoke-generating pyrotechnic device was set off in a field" inside the the park and ignited dry grass, authorities said. The couple was unable to contain the fire with bottled water, and phoned authorities to report the blaze, which was quickly spreading out of control.

From there, the fire spread for more than eight weeks, killing Charlie Morton, squad boss for the Big Bear Interagency Hotshot Crew of the San Bernardino National Forest, who had worked as a firefighter for nearly two decades before his death.

The blaze also injured at least 13 other people and forced hundreds of area residents from their home in the afflicted area while blackening nearly 36 square miles of land in both San Bernardino and Riverside counties before firefighters were able to contain the fire on Nov. 16.

Anything else?

In announcing the charges, Anderson said the fire had a "tremendous impact on the community."

In September, the San Bernardino National Forest's official Twitter account tweeted, "Sharing our deepest sympathies from Chief Vicki Christiansen: 'Thursday evening we lost one of our own. Charlie Morton, Squad Boss for the Big Bear Interagency Hotshot Crew of the San Bernardino National Forest, was tragically killed during efforts to ... suppress the El Dorado Fire on their home unit. Our hearts go out to Charlie's loved ones, friends, coworkers and the Big Bear Hotshots."

The couple were released on their own recognizance and are set to appear in court on Sept. 15.

...suppress the El Dorado Fire on their home unit. Our hearts go out to Charlie’s loved ones, friends, coworkers an… https://t.co/xy0HcYmFkg

— San Bernardino National Forest (@SanBernardinoNF) 1600743328.0

Firefighter is killed battling blaze started by botched gender-reveal party



A firefighter in California has died in the El Dorado fire, the wildfire that started earlier this month from a pyrotechnic device used during a gender-reveal party.

What are the details?

The U.S. Department of Agriculture said in a statement that the firefighter, who has not been named, was killed on Thursday.

"USDA Forest Service officials on the San Bernardino National Forest have confirmed the death of a firefighter on the El Dorado Fire," the statement said. "The incident took place on Thursday, September 17, 2020."

"Our deepest sympathies are with the family, friends and fellow firefighters during this time," it continued. "The cause is under investigation. More details will be made available as they are confirmed."

USDA Forest Service officials on the San Bernardino National Forest have confirmed the death of a firefighter on th… https://t.co/7OjSLHIc1X
— San Bernardino National Forest (@San Bernardino National Forest)1600427046.0

On Thursday night, SoCal Air Operations tweeted that a search and rescue operation had been initiated for a missing "hot shot" near Pinezanita, California. Hot shots, according to the San Bernardino County Sun, are "specially trained firefighters who battle blazes in remote regions by hiking in or being lowered from a helicopter" and "build fire breaks with tools they carry."

In a tweet about the tragedy, Democratic vice presidential candidate Sen. Kamala Harris, tweeted: "I am deeply saddened that the firefighter who went missing while fighting the El Dorado Fire has died. Each day, our nation's courageous firefighters and first responders risk their lives to protect our communities. May this brave soul rest in peace."

What's the background?

The massive fire, which started after a pregnant couple set off a firework in El Dorado Ranch park, resulted in an initial containment effort consisting of more than 500 firefighters, 60 fire engines, and four helicopters.

Incredible sight as night falls!!The #ElDoradoFire burns into heavy timber near Jenks Lake Road W off of Highway 38… https://t.co/L1gLmqEkEU
— Will Lester (@Will Lester)1600394643.0

The couple reportedly used a cylindrical device to send either pink or blue smoke into the sky in order to reveal the sex of the baby, but sparked a fire in the process. They attempted to douse it with water from their water bottles, but it was to no avail.

From there, the fire quickly spread and, as of Friday morning, had burned 21,678 acres and was 66% contained.

The San Bernardino County Sun added that 12 injuries have been reported in relation to the fire so far, not including this most recent death. Four homes have been destroyed.

Authorities arrest 4 people on arson charges in deadly and massive California, Oregon, and Washington wildfires



Authorities have arrested at least four people for suspected arson in the massive and still-growing wildfires in California, Oregon, and Washington.

What are the details?

According to reports, authorities in those states say that at least four of the fires are considered suspicious.

California authorities arrested suspect Anita Esquivel for allegedly intentionally setting fires along U.S. 101.

She was booked into the Monterey County Jail on arson charges.

Oregon authorities also arrested Michael Jarrod Bakkela, who lived in the woods of Oregon on two counts of arson, 15 counts of criminal mischief, and 14 counts of reckless endangerment.

Oregon Live reports that Bakkela is reportedly responsible for setting one of two major wildfires in the state, which has killed dozens and displaced hundreds.

Oregon State Fire Marshal's office spokesperson Rich Tyler added that the fire Bakkela reportedly set is considered to be one of two origins of the Almeda fire.

Jackson County Sheriff's Office PIO Mike Moran told ABC News that the fire has caused "significant damage."

"There are numerous homes, many of which are burnt completely, some are just heavily damaged, that are part of the 15 counts of criminal mischief," he said.

According to Oregon Live, authorities have told area residents to prepare for a "mass fatality incident" due to the fires.

Washington authorities arrested two unrelated suspects who reportedly set small fires in the brush in two different areas of freeway.

CNN on Thursday reported that the wildfires across the western states torched more than 4 million acres, which is roughly the size of the state of New Jersey.

Anything else?

The FBI on Friday released a statement about reports that "extremists" were responsible for setting wildfires in Oregon.

"FBI Portland and local law enforcement agencies have been receiving reports that extremists are responsible for setting wildfires in Oregon," the statement rad. "With our state and local partners, the FBI has investigated several such reports and found them to be untrue. Conspiracy theories and misinformation take valuable resources away local fire and police agencies working around the clock to bring these fires under control. Please help our entire community by only sharing validated information from official sources."

California gender-reveal party with pyrotechnic device sparks massive blaze that burns over 7,300 acres



More than 500 firefighters, 60 fire engines, and four helicopters have been deployed to a massive fire in Southern California. The huge inferno, dubbed the El Dorado Fire, was caused by a pyrotechnic device used at a gender-reveal party.

The gender-reveal party was held in El Dorado Ranch Park, and the fire began at 10:23 a.m. Saturday. The couple, and possibly some other friends and family, went to a grassy field at El Dorado Ranch Park, to announce the gender of their baby, Cal Fire Capt. Bennett Milloy told KTVU. They used a cylindrical device to send up either pink or blue smoke, and reveal the sex, he said. But the spectacle created a fire, which the couple tried to douse with their own water bottles, he said.

The blaze quickly spread from the park to Yucaipa Ridge, which separates Mountain Home Village, and Forest Falls from Yucaipa. As of Monday morning, the massive inferno had burned 7,386 acres and was only 7% was contained, according to San Bernardino County Fire Protection District.

"CAL FIRE Law Enforcement has determined the El Dorado Fire, burning near Oak Glen in San Bernardino County, was caused by a smoke generating pyrotechnic device, used during a gender reveal party," the agency stated.

"Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially responsible and criminally responsible," Cal Fire said.

CAL Fire investigators believe a family taking gender reveal photos at a Yucaipa-area park with pyrotechnics sparke… https://t.co/pKcoJQB9uv
— Kara Finnstrom (@Kara Finnstrom)1599490358.0

Four towns in San Bernardino County — Oak Glen, Yucaipa Ridge, Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls — were under evacuation orders because of the El Dorado Fire. About 21,000 residents have been evacuated. Several homes have been destroyed, according to KCAL-TV.

Timelapse of the #ElDoradoFire from this afternoon near North Bench Yucaipa. @SanBernardinoNF @CALFIREBDU https://t.co/uHOmlnkdID
— SB County Fire (@SB County Fire)1599440417.0



The El Dorado Fire is one of three major wildfires currently smoldering in California, along with the Creek Fire and Valley Fire.

The state has recently become a tinderbox because of extremely high temperatures into the 100s, extremely dry conditions, and fast winds that can spread fires quickly.

"Cal Fire reminds the public that with the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesn't take much to start a wildfire," the agency said.

Several new fire in California today. The #CreekFire in Fresno County. #ValleyFire in San Diego County.… https://t.co/kkE9Zua7Ql
— Drew Tuma (@Drew Tuma)1599351394.0

Creek Fire in Fresno County and Madera County has charred 73,278 acres, and threatens more communities as well as recreation areas like Shaver and Bass lakes, and Yosemite National Park. The fire has destroyed 25 homes, and at least 850 structures are seriously threatened. Cal Fire said that 0% of the blaze was contained.


Jeremy Remington is one of 207 people that was trapped and rescued from Mammoth Pool. He got to Fresno sometime aft… https://t.co/8RcmWTqCEY
— Dennis Valera (@Dennis Valera)1599407506.0


@wxbrad I took this today from our Southwest flight from San Jose to Las Vegas https://t.co/QfWYTr6sh7
— Thalia Dockery (@Thalia Dockery)1599364216.0

The Valley Fire prompted the San Diego County Sheriff's Department to issue a voluntary evacuation order. The wildfire has burned 10,258 acres and is only 1% contained. The San Diego County Fire Department requested military aircraft from the Navy Third Fleet and the First Marine Expeditionary Force to battle the blaze.

Smoke from the #ValleyFire towers over San Diego County @10News https://t.co/hNDrhouYsF
— Jennifer Delacruz (@Jennifer Delacruz)1599457471.0


#valleyfire 09/07/20 Information map for the Valley Fire https://t.co/GD9WEeT2CG
— Cleveland NF (@Cleveland NF)1599491860.0

Due to the wildfires, California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) declared a state of emergency for five counties on Sunday: Fresno, Madera, Mariposa, San Bernardino, and San Diego County.

"Governor Newsom has declared a statewide emergency due to the widespread fires and extreme weather conditions, and secured a Presidential Major Disaster Declaration to bolster the state's emergency response to the Northern California wildfires," the governor's office said in a statement.

Governor @GavinNewsom issued an emergency proclamation for the counties of Fresno, Madera and Mariposa due to the… https://t.co/6vlAS2CBBt
— Office of the Governor of California (@Office of the Governor of California)1599447371.0