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Arab Times
10-07-2025
- Arab Times
13-year-old suspected of setting off fireworks that sparked S.California wildfire
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif, July 10, (AP): A 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of setting off fireworks that sparked a wildfire this week in coastal Southern California, forcing the evacuations of about a hundred canyon homes, authorities said. Crews with air support protected residences from the Rancho Fire as flames raced through dry brush Monday afternoon in Laguna Beach. It was held to 4 acres (1.6 hectares) with no damage to structures. Police initially detained two juveniles who they later determined were witnesses, not suspects, the city said in a statement Tuesday. "Officers later obtained video evidence clearly showing a juvenile suspect lighting a firework and fleeing the scene,' the statement said. The 13-year-old was taken into custody a short time later and could face charges including felony reckless burning of forest land, officials said. The teen was released to his parents. The Laguna Beach blaze was one of dozens of wildfires burning this week in the state. The risk of fire was especially high Wednesday as temperatures spiked and humidity dropped across inland Southern California. The Madre Fire became California's largest blaze so far this year, ripping through grasslands after breaking out July 2 in southeastern San Luis Obispo County. By Wednesday, it covered more than 125 square miles (323 square kilometers). It was more than 60% contained.
The Independent
10-07-2025
- The Independent
13-year-old boy suspected of setting off fireworks that sparked Southern California wildfire
A teenager has been detained after he was suspected of having set off fireworks which started a large wildfire in Southern California. The fire prompted the evacuation of around 100 homes in the coastal canyon area, according to authorities. The Rancho Fire required air support crews to protect residents, with the blaze going through dry brush, Monday afternoon in Laguna Beach. It was contained to four acres and caused no damage to structures. The city issued a statement on Tuesday, saying that police had initially detained two juveniles, who were later found to be witnesses and not suspects. 'Officers later obtained video evidence clearly showing a juvenile suspect lighting a firework and fleeing the scene,' the city said in the statement. The 13-year-old was taken into custody. The suspect may face charges such as felony reckless burning of forest land, according to officials. He was later released to his parents. The fire in Laguna Beach was just one of dozens of ongoing wildfires in California this week. The fire risk rose on Wednesday as temperatures peaked and humidity decreased in inland areas of Southern California. The Madre Fire grew into the largest wildfire in the state this year, going through grasslands after it began on July 2 in southeastern San Luis Obispo County. On Wednesday it covered more than 125 square miles and was more than 60 percent contained. The Laguna Fire Department said that the Rancho Fire began around 2 p.m. on Monday, according to The Los Angeles Times. Firefighters were able to stop the forward progress of the fire by about 5 p.m. when the fire was found to be between four and five acres, department spokesperson Chip Gilmore said. The rush to evacuate the area prompted significant traffic issues across Laguna Beach. The evacuation orders were lifted Monday night. Investigators connected the 13-year-old to the fire after multiple people said they had seen a teenager in the area where the blaze began, possibly setting off fireworks, the Laguna Beach Police Department said in a statement. Detectives then found the video they say showed the teen fleeing the area after setting off the firework. 'This case is a perfect example of what makes Laguna Beach unique — an engaged community that works hand in hand with its police department,' said Jeff Calvert, the Laguna Beach Police chief. 'When our residents speak up, we're able to respond quickly and effectively. Public safety is a shared responsibility, and this outcome reflects that.'
USA Today
10-07-2025
- USA Today
13-year-old suspected of lighting fireworks that ignited Southern California brush fire
A 13-year-old boy was arrested for allegedly lighting fireworks that likely sparked a brush fire this week in coastal Southern California, prompting evacuations and causing power outages in the area, authorities said. The blaze, dubbed the Rancho Fire, ignited at about 2:06 p.m. local time on July 7 in the hillside area of Laguna Beach, the city said in a statement. The fire scorched through dry brush and vegetation in the area and grew to about four acres, threatening nearby canyon homes, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. Preliminary reports said the fire may have started from illegal fireworks, the Laguna Beach Police Department said in a statement on July 8. As the blaze spread along the hillside of Rancho Laguna — a neighborhood located above the village area that overlooks the Pacific Ocean — police said witnesses reported "seeing a juvenile in the area possibly involved in setting off fireworks." Laguna Beach police rangers initially detained two juveniles who were later determined to be witnesses, not suspects, according to police. Officers later obtained video evidence that they said showed a "juvenile suspect lighting a firework and fleeing the scene." After further investigation, police said they identified the suspect as a 13-year-old boy and obtained search warrants for his arrest and the seizure of electronic devices. The boy was then taken into custody on suspicion of felony reckless burning of forest land. "Due to the absence of any injuries or immediate threat to structures, Orange County Juvenile Hall would not accept the suspect for booking," according to police. "He was processed at the Laguna Beach Police Department and released to the custody of his parents." The case will be submitted to the Orange County District Attorney's Office for review and the possible filing of criminal charges, police added. Laguna Beach, a tony Southern California city known for its vibrant beach scene and art gallery district, is about 50 miles southeast of downtown Los Angeles. As of 2024, the city has a population of more than 22,500 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. 2025 got off to a deadly start: How bad will wildfire season be in the US this year? Laguna Beach fire fully contained by July 9 Laguna Beach police said detectives were continuing to work with the Laguna Beach Fire Department and the Orange County Fire Authority to investigate the fire's origin. About 200 firefighters, five helicopters, two planes, and drones were used to battle the blaze, said Laguna Beach Fire Chief Niko King. While no injuries or damages were reported, the blaze forced the evacuations of about a hundred homes in the Arch Beach Heights neighborhood, according to Laguna Beach Mayor Alex Rounaghi. The fire broke out in the Bluebird Canyon area, which had been recently approved for fuel-reduction work through hand crews, the mayor said in an update on July 7. In addition to the evacuations, several roads were closed, and the city reported an intermittent loss of power in the area. The evacuation order was lifted at around 7:30 p.m. on July 7, according to the city. The fire, which was mapped at 4.6 acres, was fully contained by 8 a.m. on July 9, and all roads that had been closed were reopened to traffic, the city said. Laguna Beach officials have spent $25 million over the past several years in compliance with a 2019 fire mitigation plan, the Los Angeles Times reported. Following the Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County earlier this year, city officials updated the plan and aimed to improve fire safety. "The effectiveness of the City's fuel modification zones (FMZ) was also evident, with vegetation clearing along the ridgeline helping to slow the fire's progression," according to the city. "Notably, the FMZ closest to the fire was recently approved and installed." Wildfire season: Western US braces for fiery Fourth Blaze comes amid heightened fire risk The Laguna Beach fire had put residents on edge after a series of blazes devastated parts of Los Angeles County earlier this year. The blaze was one of more than a dozen wildfires that sparked across California in recent weeks, according to the latest Cal Fire data. A fast-moving wildfire in central California, called the Madre Fire, became the largest in the state so far this year. The fire broke out on July 2 and scorched through a remote area in southeastern San Luis Obispo County. As of July 9, the Madre Fire had grown to over 80,600 acres and was about 62% contained, according to Cal Fire. The National Weather Service in Los Angeles warned on July 9 that high temperatures between 95 and 105 degrees were expected in inland areas. The agency noted that there was an "elevated to brief critical fire danger" for interior and southwest Santa Barbara County. "Dangerous heat possible next Tuesday through Friday, especially away from the coast," the weather service said in a post on X. "There will also be elevated fire weather concerns with an increased risk of grass fires in the mountains, deserts, and interior valleys." Contributing: Anthony Robledo, USA TODAY
New York Times
09-07-2025
- New York Times
Boy, 13, Started California Wildfire With Illegal Fireworks, Police Say
A 13-year-old boy was arrested this week, accused of setting off illegal fireworks that sparked a wildfire in Laguna Beach, Calif., that burned nearly five acres and led to evacuations and power outages, the authorities said. The blaze, called the Rancho fire, started just after 2 p.m. Monday, as flames burned along a hillside, the Laguna Beach Police Department said in a statement. As the fire spread to 4.6 acres, an evacuation order was issued for homes on four streets, and community centers were opened as shelters for displaced residents, officials said. By 5 p.m. Monday, the mayor had told residents in a video posted on Facebook that officials already suspected that the fire had been started by fireworks. The police said on Tuesday that witnesses had reported seeing a juvenile who was 'possibly involved in setting off fireworks.' Two juveniles were detained for questioning, but were released after they were found to have been witnesses, the police said. Investigators later obtained video evidence that they said showed another juvenile 'lighting a firework and fleeing the scene.' They identified the suspect as a 13-year-old boy and obtained a warrant for his arrest, the police said. The teenager was arrested on suspicion of felony reckless burning of forest land, the police said. Because of 'the absence of any injuries or immediate threat to structures,' he was processed at police headquarters before being released to his parents. The case will be submitted to the Orange County district attorney's office for review and the possible filing of criminal charges, the police said. A spokeswoman for the district attorney's office said California welfare law prevented her from discussing the case. Niko King, the Laguna Beach fire chief, said that around 200 firefighters, two planes, five helicopters and drones were deployed to battle the blaze, as officials used infrared scans to monitor its progress and containment efforts. The evacuation order was lifted just after 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, city officials. said. The fire was fully contained by 8 a.m. Wednesday and the roads that had been closed reopened to traffic.
09-07-2025
Teen suspected of setting off fireworks that sparked Southern California wildfire
LAGUNA BEACH, Calif. -- A 13-year-old boy was arrested on suspicion of setting off fireworks that sparked a wildfire this week in coastal Southern California, forcing the evacuations of about a hundred canyon homes, authorities said. Crews with air support protected residences from the Rancho Fire as flames raced through dry brush Monday afternoon in Laguna Beach. It was held to 4 acres (1.6 hectares) with no damage to structures. Police initially detained two juveniles who they later determined were witnesses, not suspects, the city said in a statement Tuesday. 'Officers later obtained video evidence clearly showing a juvenile suspect lighting a firework and fleeing the scene,' the statement said. The 13-year-old was taken into custody a short time later and could face charges including felony reckless burning of forest land, officials said. The teen was released to his parents. The Laguna Beach blaze was one of dozens of wildfires burning this week in the state. The risk of fire was especially high Wednesday as temperatures spiked and humidity dropped across inland Southern California. The Madre Fire became California's largest blaze so far this year, ripping through grasslands after breaking out July 2 in southeastern San Luis Obispo County. By Wednesday, it covered more than 125 square miles (323 square kilometers). It was more than 60% contained.
