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El Dorado Fire

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Coordinates: 34°03′29″N 116°59′22″W / 34.05806°N 116.98944°W / 34.05806; -116.98944
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El Dorado Fire
El Dorado Fire on September 5, 2020
Date(s)
  • September 5 (5-09) –
  • November 16, 2020 (2020-11-16)
  • (73 days)
Location
Coordinates34°03′29″N 116°59′22″W / 34.05806°N 116.98944°W / 34.05806; -116.98944
Statistics
Burned area22,744 acres (9,204 ha; 35.538 sq mi)
Impacts
Deaths1 firefighter
Non-fatal injuries12
Structures destroyed10 structures destroyed, 6 structures damaged
Damage≥$42 million[1]
Ignition
CauseSparked by a pyrotechnic device at a gender reveal party
Map
The footprint of the El Dorado Fire is shown in orange, extending from Highway 38 in the north to between Oak Glen and Cherry Valley in the south in an irregular shape against the San Bernardino National Forest in dark green.
The fire largely burned in the San Bernardino National Forest south of Big Bear Lake and north of Oak Glen
El Dorado Fire is located in California
El Dorado Fire
Location in Southern California

The El Dorado Fire was a wildfire that burned 22,744 acres (9,204 ha; 35.538 sq mi; 92.04 km2) in San Bernardino and Riverside counties of California from September to November 2020. It was ignited on September 5 by a pyrotechnic device at a gender reveal party in El Dorado Ranch Park; it quickly spread to the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area of the San Bernardino National Forest. Burning over a 71-day period, the fire destroyed 20 structures and resulted in one firefighter fatality, for which the couple hosting the party were charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Cause

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The fire began at 10:23 a.m. (PDT) on September 5, 2020,[2] when Angela Renee Jimenez and Refugio Manuel Jimenez Jr. set off a smoke bomb at a gender reveal photoshoot at the El Dorado Ranch Park near Yucaipa, in southern San Bernardino County. The detonation of the smoke bomb lit nearby dry grass on fire, which spread rapidly.[3][4] According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE), the Jimenezes attempted to extinguish the fire with bottled water,[2] then reported the fire to the authorities and cooperated with their investigation.[5] The cause of the fire inspired widespread mockery and condemnation against gender reveal parties, and was frequently compared to the 2017 Sawmill Fire, ignited by an exploding target at a gender reveal party in Arizona.[6][7][8][9]

Progression

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First responders arrived and began to attempt suppression of the El Dorado Fire at 10:40 a.m., when it had an area of five acres (2.0 ha).[10] Because of the steep terrain, temperatures exceeding 100 °F (38 °C), and low humidity,[11] the fire spread rapidly northward and grew to an area of 7,050 acres (2,850 ha) on September 6.[4][12] In response to the fire's spread, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in San Bernardino County,[4] and evacuations were ordered in Mountain Home Village, Oak Glen, Forest Falls, and Yucaipa. A 12-mile (19 km) stretch of California State Route 38 and the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area of the San Bernardino National Forest (SBNF) were closed.[4][13]

On September 7, the fire grew to 9,671 acres (3,914 ha).[14] Firefighters halted its advance south,[14][15] though evacuation notices were issued to residents of Riverside County, to the south of San Bernardino County,[14] and the SBNF was closed.[15] Lower temperatures and higher humidity on September 8 briefly slowed the spread of the El Dorado Fire,[16][17] which grew to 11,259 acres (4,556 ha)[17] and prompted more evacuations in San Bernardino County.[16] On September 9, the annual Santa Ana winds fanned the El Dorado Fire,[18][19][20] which grew to 14,043 acres (5,683 ha) by the morning of September 12.[21]

In spite of winds, continued high temperatures, and low humidity, firefighters made enough progress containing the spread of the El Dorado Fire to allow for the lifting of evacuation orders in Yucaipa and Oak Glen on September 10,[20][22] September 11,[23] September 12,[24] and September 13,[25][26] and Riverside County on September 10.[20][22] Angelus Oaks and Forest Falls were evacuated at the same time, however,[23] and residents of Big Bear were advised to evacuate.[27] On September 15, CAL FIRE estimated that the spread of the fire, then at 17,892 acres (7,241 ha), was 61 percent contained.[28][29]

A firefighter at the El Dorado Fire on September 10

On September 17 the El Dorado Fire crossed State Route 38 and grew to 21,678 acres (8,773 ha) by the next day.[30] While U.S. Forest Service Hotshot crews conducted controlled burns near Angelus Oaks on September 17, wind gusts created local fires that resulted in the death of a firefighter.[31][32] On September 18 residents of Forest Falls and Mountain Home Village were allowed to return to their homes.[30][33] By September 24, the fire had grown to 22,604 acres (9,148 ha), but was estimated to be 81 percent contained and the evacuation order for Angelus Oaks was lifted.[34][35][36] Containment reached 93 percent on September 28,[37] and it continued to burn until November 16.[38]

Effects

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The El Dorado Fire burned 22,744 acres (9,204 ha) over 71 days,[39][40] reaching its maximum extent by September 29.[37] It cost $42,269,660 to suppress.[1] The fire resulted in the death of a single firefighter and 13 other injuries;[39] 20 buildings were destroyed.[1] State Route 38 was reopened on September 29, 2020.[41][42] Some areas of the SBNF remained closed until April 2022.[43][44]

Environmental consequences

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The El Dorado Fire burned steep mountain terrain already prone to landslide, rockfall, and debris flow hazards.[45][46] Landslides and rockfalls began in September 2020 as the fire eroded the soil of its burn scar,[47] and plagued San Bernardino County during and after its duration.[48][49] Storms and the threat of mudflows triggered evacuation orders and advisories for communities in San Bernardino and Riverside Counties in January 2021,[50][51][52] July 2021,[53] December 2021,[54][55] and September 2022.[56]

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The San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office began assembling a case for the prosecution of the Jimenezes in January 2021.[57] The couple were formally charged with involuntary manslaughter, a felony, among other felony and misdemeanor charges on July 20, 2021; they pleaded not guilty.[58][59][60][61] The Jimenezes requested the dismissal of all charges against them in December 2021 and again in October 2022.[62][63] The judge denied the dismissal of most of the charges both times. On January 23, 2023, a Superior Court judge in San Bernardino dismissed one charge out of 30 against the Jimenezes.[64]

On February 9, 2024, after pleading guilty to one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and two felony counts of recklessly causing fire to an inhabited structure, Refugio Manuel Jimenez Jr. was sentenced to one year in county jail and two years of felony probation and community service. Angelina Jimenez, who pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts of recklessly causing a fire to another's property, was sentenced to one year of summary probation and community service. Additionally, the couple was ordered to pay $1,789,972 in restitution to victims of the fire.[65]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "National Large Incident Year-to-Date Report" (PDF). National Interagency Fire Center. p. 11. Archived from the original on October 23, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
  2. ^ a b Silverman, Hollie; Vera, Amir; Mossburg, Cheri (September 7, 2020). "A pyrotechnic device at a gender reveal party sparked one of the California wildfires, burning over 8,600 acres". CNN. Archived from the original on September 12, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  3. ^ "A Couple Is Charged In A Deadly Fire Sparked By Their Gender Reveal". NPR. Associated Press. July 20, 2021. Archived from the original on September 28, 2022. Retrieved November 29, 2022.
  4. ^ a b c d De Atley, Richard K.; Iyer, Jennifer (September 6, 2020). "Investigators: Smoke-generating device at gender reveal party caused El Dorado fire, now at 7,050 acres". The San Bernardino Sun. Archived from the original on May 16, 2022. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  5. ^ Barkas, Sherry (September 7, 2020). "Cal Fire: Family behind gender reveal that sparked El Dorado Fire cooperating with officials". The Desert Sun. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
  6. ^ Kreutter, Mariah (September 8, 2020). "Opinion: Stop setting California on fire to tell people about your kid's genitals". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  7. ^ Young, Robin; Hagan, Allison (September 9, 2020). "After Gender Reveal Celebration Sparks Fire, Some Say The Parties Have Gotten Out Of Hand". WBUR. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  8. ^ "'Stop having these stupid parties,' says woman who popularized gender reveals after one sparks Yucaipa-area wildfire". KTLA. CNN Wire. September 7, 2020. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  9. ^ Williamson, Alex (June 10, 2021). "Your gender reveal parties are an eco-disaster". Mic. Archived from the original on July 27, 2021. Retrieved July 27, 2021.
  10. ^ Rokos, Brian; Valdez, Jonah (September 5, 2020). "Firefighters battling 2,159-acre brush fire in Yucaipa; evacuations ordered". The San Bernardino Sun. Archived from the original on November 28, 2021. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  11. ^ Damien, Christopher; Plevin, Rebecca; Newell, Shane (September 5, 2020). "El Dorado Fire: Hundreds evacuate as blaze grows to nearly 2,200 acres, 5% contained". The Desert Sun. Archived from the original on March 9, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
  12. ^ "Evening Update, September 6, 2020". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Archived from the original on September 7, 2020. Retrieved November 17, 2022.
  13. ^ Atagi, Colin; Hayden, Nicole (September 6, 2020). "Officials: El Dorado blaze sparked during gender reveal party. Containment at 7%". The Desert Sun. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved October 29, 2022.
  14. ^ a b c Henry, Jason; Rokos, Brian (September 7, 2020). "Evacuations for El Dorado fire spread into Riverside County; coming Santa Ana winds prompt warnings". The San Bernardino Sun. Archived from the original on June 22, 2021. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  15. ^ a b "Evening Update, September 7". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Archived from the original on September 9, 2020. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
  16. ^ a b Sestito, Maria; Newell, Shane (September 8, 2020). "El Dorado Fire: New evacuation orders issued for all areas between Angelus Oaks and Onyx Summit". The Desert Sun. Archived from the original on March 24, 2022. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
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  18. ^ "El Dorado Fire PM Update for September 9, 2020". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Archived from the original on September 11, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  19. ^ Cain, Josh; Licas, Eric (September 9, 2020). "New El Dorado fire evacuations ordered for communities along Highway 38". The San Bernardino Sun. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  20. ^ a b c Cain, Josh (September 10, 2020). "Some El Dorado fire evacuations lifted, allowing some residents to return home". The San Bernardino Sun. Archived from the original on November 27, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  21. ^ "El Dorado Fire Morning Update, September 12, 2020". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Archived from the original on September 16, 2020. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
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  25. ^ Atagi, Colin (September 13, 2020). "El Dorado Fire: Evacuation order lifted for some; smoke from California wildfires extends to Michigan". The Desert Sun. Archived from the original on December 7, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2022.
  26. ^ De Atley, Richard K. (September 13, 2020). "Some evacuations lifted in El Dorado fire, and a few Oak Glen apple farms reopen". The San Bernardino Sun. Archived from the original on May 28, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  27. ^ Rokos, Brian (September 11, 2020). "'Years of memories' lost in El Dorado fire; crews continue battle in San Bernardino Mountains". The San Bernardino Sun. Archived from the original on January 22, 2022. Retrieved November 23, 2022.
  28. ^ Plevin, Rebecca; Damien, Christopher (September 15, 2020). "Crews work to protect Mt. Wilson from Bobcat Fire; El Dorado Fire 61% contained". The Desert Sun. Archived from the original on January 20, 2022. Retrieved November 24, 2022.
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  30. ^ a b Rokos, Brian; Fausto, Alma (September 18, 2020). "Firefighter dies battling El Dorado fire; Forest Falls residents allowed to return". The San Bernardino Sun. Archived from the original on November 8, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  31. ^ Rokos, Brian (January 11, 2022). "Doomed El Dorado firefighter's last words: trapped in a 'corner'". The San Bernardino Sun. Archived from the original on January 12, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  32. ^ Estacio, Martin (January 15, 2022). "'In a corner': New reports offer details about death of firefighter in El Dorado Fire". Victorville Daily Press. Archived from the original on January 15, 2022. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
  33. ^ "Evacuation Status Reduced for Forest Falls and Mountain Home Village". InciWeb. U.S. Forest Service. Archived from the original on October 31, 2020. Retrieved November 25, 2022.
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  37. ^ a b Rokos, Brian (September 29, 2020). "Highway 38 reopens in San Bernardino Mountains as El Dorado fire threat ebbs". The San Bernardino Sun. Archived from the original on January 16, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
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  43. ^ "El Dorado and Snow fire closure areas modified". U.S. Forest Service. Archived from the original on October 6, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
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  46. ^ Cato, Kerry; Goforth, Brett (February 1, 2021). "Alluvial Fan Alteration Due to Debris-Flow Deposition, Incision, and Channel Migration at Forest Falls, California". Environmental and Engineering Geoscience. 27 (1): 29–41. Bibcode:2021EEGeo..27...29C. doi:10.2113/EEG-D-20-00042. ISSN 1078-7275. S2CID 234063355. Archived from the original on August 21, 2021. Retrieved August 21, 2021.
  47. ^ De Atley, Richard K.; Licas, Eric (September 22, 2020). "El Dorado fire lines holding, containment increases to 68%". The San Bernardino Sun. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  48. ^ Iyer, Jennifer (October 14, 2020). "Yucaipa preparing for mudslides from El Dorado fire burn areas". The San Bernardino Sun. Archived from the original on November 27, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
  49. ^ Wilson, Quinn (August 9, 2021). "Flash flood watch brings mudslide concerns for Inland mountain burn areas". The San Bernardino Sun. Archived from the original on December 1, 2021. Retrieved November 27, 2022.
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  62. ^ Rokos, Brian (December 6, 2021). "Couple accused of starting fatal El Dorado fire with gender reveal wants charges thrown out". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on January 26, 2022. Retrieved 17 November 2022.
  63. ^ Rokos, Brian (October 28, 2022). "Bad luck or bad choices? Attorneys in El Dorado fire manslaughter case disagree". The San Bernardino Sun. Archived from the original on October 29, 2022. Retrieved October 30, 2022.
  64. ^ Rokos, Brian (January 25, 2023). "Judge allows 29 charges in deadly California wildfire caused by gender-reveal device to go forward". The Mercury News. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
  65. ^ Uranga, Rachel (February 11, 2024). "Couple whose gender-reveal party sparked the massive El Dorado fire sentenced". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 12, 2024. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
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