The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reports that the Caldor Fire is the 15th biggest wildfire in the state’s history. And the department also says that it is the 16th most destructive.
Father and son both claim innocence
The district attorney’s office has not yet explained how the fire was started.
The Smith’s attorney, Mark Reichel, says he does not know what prosecutors’ are claiming. And he is adamant his clients are innocent.
“They’re charged that it’s accidental but reckless — the DA is not saying it was intentional,” Reichel said. “We are saying we are 100 percent innocent. We’re saying they did not start it.”
Reichel knew the father and son were under investigation. And conformed search warrants were conducted in their houses during August.
