Well, it seems a lone man is responsible for the Rim Fire that has (so far) burned 370 square miles of Northern California forest, and it's all because of an illegal campfire. The cause of the fire that broke out August 17 has been "under investigation" these past three weeks and only now do we hear that authorities have identified the culprit. He's got to feel pretty goddamn guilty.
The forest service has not revealed the man's name and say that they are still investigating.
The beginning of the fire was about three miles east of Groveland, where the man, on a hunting trip, built an illegal campfire that got out of control.
This news follows on a rumor floated by the LA Times yesterday that a pot growing operation caused the blaze. That came out of a comment made by the police chief in the tiny town of Twain Harte, who told a community gathering that this was his hunch.
We'll let you know if and when charges are filed against the hunter.
The fire, as we discussed earlier this week, is about 75% contained and it will be another couple of weeks before it is fully contained.
