Man arrested on suspicion of starting Northern California fire that burned more than 100 homes

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP

today

MARIPOSA, Calif. (AP) — A 71-year-old man was arrested Friday on suspicion of starting a forest fire that destroyed more than 100 homes last year near Yosemite National Park, California fire authorities said.

Edward Fredrick Wackerman, of Mariposa, was arrested on suspicion of aggravated arson, arson that causes great bodily injury and arson causing damage or destruction of inhabited structures, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, also known as Cal Fire, said in a statement.

It didn’t provide details of what led to the arrest. No charges have been filed.

It wasn’t immediately clear whether Wackerman had an attorney to speak on his behalf.




Read more: https://apnews.com/article/california-deadly-forest-fire-arson-arrest-a134175f355c70edf906d5ec3209f58c

[617Blue]

1. Interested to see what's going on in this guy's mind. nt

[TeamProg]

2. Two previous fires in the exact same area two weeks prior

were put out by CalFire.

The third fire became the Oak Fire.

There is info / rumor that he harassed the Indian couple who re-opened the MidPines store and perhaps started the fire to burn them out.

We’ll see if hate crimes are added to the charges.

If not started by lightening, all of Calif’s big fires are started by either really stupid or careless people, electric companies or arsonists.

[sybylla]

3. Interesting, in that "oh, look, a racist mofo" kind of way.

Not surprising, though. Racists have been so empowered to act by the MAGATS.

[Warpy]

5. Around here, it's mostly stupid teenagers and 20 somethhings with fireworks

which they love to set off in the dense woods near the river.

Fireworks ban? It won't work, Mexico is a day trip from here.

Of all the holidays, July 4 is the one I hate the most, alcohol + explosives, what could go wrong? Then I'd get them.

[C Moon]

4. When not starting fires, I wonder what Wackerman did in his spare time?

[BlueKentuckyGirl]

6. Haha

Unfortunate last name, huh?