Arsonist started Waterman Fire

Various News Sources | 10-26-03 | BonesMcCoy

[bonesmccoy]

In the past 48 hours Free Republic participants have been monitoring the spread and growth of the fires in the Southern California area.

In last nights fire watch thread it was noted that CHP began identifying arson as a cause of the various fires.

Here I reprint some prior messages put up on Free Republic.

Post http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1008393/posts?page=329#329 To: bonesmccoy

I'm not sure what 11:30 a.m. report you are referring to, except for the one that was believed to be started by 3 people in a van.....that is in Riverside...more info now on that:

Incident: 0815 Type: Report of Fire Location: SB I15 JSO EB SR60 (Riverside) Zoom Map: 643 6E Info as of: 10/26/2003 12:08:23 PM

ADDITIONAL DETAILS 12:07PM - ANOTHER RP JUST ADVISED ANOTHER BRUSH FIRE JUST STARTED UP ON WEST SIDE OF 15, JSO 60 AND OFF DUTY FD ADV NO UNITS 97 12:02PM - NEED NB/SD LNS CLOSED 12:02PM - RSFD=REQ RD CLOSED DUE TO FIRE 11:53AM - VERY WINDY - SPREADING TOWARDS HAMNER 11:49AM - CAN THE UNIT PLZ ADVISE ON THE STATUS/SIZE OF THIS FIRE? INLAND ERC 11:38AM - RP ADVISING SAW A DK BLU OVER BLK ASTROVAN WITH DAYTON RIMS LEAVING THE AREA WHERE FIRE STARTED // 3 OCCUPANTS IN VEH, CONTD SB 15 11:33AM - PER PCN THEY HAVE INFO REFERENCE TO A PTY THAT MIGHT HAVE STATRTED THE FIRE -- VEH WAS A LT BLU VAN UNKMAKE OR MODEL 11:29AM - SMALL BRUSH FIRE STARTING - 1039 CDF

RESPONDING OFFICERS STATUS 11:32AM - CHP Unit On Scene 12:00PM - CHP Unit On Scene 12:04PM - CHP Unit On Scene 12:05PM - CHP Unit Assigned 12:05PM - CHP Unit Enroute 12:06PM - CHP Unit Enroute

329 posted on 10/26/2003 12:09 PM PST by nicmarlo

____________________________________________

Now, KCAL has a reporter who states that officials in San Bernardino County are looking for two white males who were spotted in a gray van sitting on Old Waterman Canyon Road. The observer noticed an object being thrown from the van into a field.

[Mo1]

I don't trust that stuff. .....Remember we were all looking for "white guys" in "white van" while Malvo and Muhammad were driving around killing people in a blue Caprice

I hear ya .. but the point still remains that they are looking for someone

[nicmarlo]

Here's one from yesterday morning (yesterday for me). Incident: 0815 Type: Report of Fire Location: BELLEGRAVE AV AT HAMNER AV (Riverside) Zoom Map: 683 3E Info as of: 10/26/2003 12:20:01 PM ADDITIONAL DETAILS 12:17PM - PER CDF, NEED HAMNER CLOSED BTWN RIVERSIDE AND SCHLEISHMAN 12:07PM - ANOTHER RP JUST ADVISED ANOTHER BRUSH FIRE JUST STARTED UP ON WEST SIDE OF 15, JSO 60 AND OFF DUTY FD ADV NO UNITS 97 12:02PM - NEED NB/SD LNS CLOSED 12:02PM - RSFD=REQ RD CLOSED DUE TO FIRE 11:53AM - VERY WINDY - SPREADING TOWARDS HAMNER 11:49AM - CAN THE UNIT PLZ ADVISE ON THE STATUS/SIZE OF THIS FIRE? INLAND ERC 11:38AM - RP ADVISING SAW A DK BLU OVER BLK ASTROVAN WITH DAYTON RIMS LEAVING THE AREA WHERE FIRE STARTED // 3 OCCUPANTS IN VEH, CONTD SB 15 11:33AM - PER PCN THEY HAVE INFO REFERENCE TO A PTY THAT MIGHT HAVE STATRTED THE FIRE -- VEH WAS A LT BLU VAN UNKMAKE OR MODEL 11:29AM - SMALL BRUSH FIRE STARTING - 1039 CDF

[bonesmccoy]

Is the grand prix fire thought to be arson?

[xm177e2]

I just assumed it was probably arson/terrorism... but then I remembered that I'm a pessimist.

[justa-hairyape]

Not officially yet, but everything else has just about been ruled out, unless you belive in spontaneous human combustion.

[bonesmccoy]

great message..thanks...
we should triangulate the start times of the fires. Does that exist in the database you queried?

[Mo1]

Oh heck .. Nic has been really busy getting info to us .. to many to posts

Here are all the posts

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/site/user-posts?id=71224

[ChemistCat]

What crimes are happening right now because the police are busy?

More to the point, what terrorist activities are happening? Is port security lax right now because resources are being sent to firefighting, because people are off the job trying to save their homes....

When the Oklahoma City bomb went off, all law enforcement and medical rescue resources were tied up for DAYS. It was a bad time to need an ambulance or a surgeon. If someone had planned a second attack anywhere in the state, it would have been a huge mess.

I am wondering if the strained California budget can possibly handle a fire and anti-terrorist activities at the same time. I'm hoping that the FBI is on top of this already--it's too late to warn them if they haven't already thought of this.

I have to go to sleep.

My MIL near Hemet is not going to be sleeping tonight. She's recovering from cancer, has a dog and SEVEN cats, and an aged Volkswagen. She won't leave the cats behind, nor her dog. If she has to evacuate, I don't know what she will do or where she will go. Everybody she knows nearby is in the same fix.

[Mo1]

Someone came on the scanner asking if the rumor was true that the fire jumped 18 and was heading north to Arrow Head

Report back that it is not true

But that the fire is up to 18 ... up to the crest line of 18 .. near Bayless Park

[Carry_Okie]

Here is the real cause of these fires. It's policy. The racketeering thugs that run the environmental movemint want these people flushed out of those mountains and will burn them out to get it done.

[justa-hairyape]

I just drove into Los Angeles and back from Rancho Cucamonga, which is relatively safe now that fires have moved away. An accident must of happened on southbound 605 after I passed through, traffic was flowing great when I went through south bound, but on my return 25 minutes later an accident had occurred. There were two fire engines and at least one police car already at the accident. Response appeared normal. I think however that assests from Northern California and nearby states are now being employed.
Hope your friend decides the cats are not as important as herself.

[Mr. Mojo]

Thanks for the link. ....That's a keeper.

[CyberAnt]

Me too .. primarily because the homes which were targeted were mostly new. The only established area hit was Tierrasanta.

[Carry_Okie]

You are quite welcome. Dr. Bonnickson is truly underappreciated for his archaeological work. He debunks the entire strategy of ecosystem management as we know it.

[Mo1]

I don't think they care if they're new or not .. they are whack jobs and will damage anything if they could

[FlyVet]

The worst wildfire in AZ history, the Rodeo-Chediski fire last year, was started on one end by a lost woman who started a signal fire, and on the other end by Leonard Gregg, on the Ft. Apache reservation. He was a part time firefighter who started the fire so he could make some money. Over 400 homes, over 460,000 acres fried. I remember that another one of the worst last year was started by a forest ranger, who claimed she was burning a letter from her ex in a pit, and it got out of control. Right. The so-called gov protectors seem to be the worst culprits. Why is that?

http://www.cnn.com/2002/US/07/01/western.wildfires/

[KeyTapper]

Here is something I found that shows how the fires have threatened to block the exits from the basin area. Sure hope nothing serious happens that causes the need for people to vacate the entire LA to San Diego area.



Here's the source. Just draw a box around the SoCal area to enlarge the view.

I'm in the Sacramento area and it looks like there are only scattered fires up here, nothing like the southern part of the state. Been lurking and praying for all of you.

[marsh2]

http://www.incidentcontrol.com/#

San Bernardino National Forest
1824 S. Commercenter Circle
San Bernardino, CA 92408

Date: September 9, 2003

INVESTIGATORS SEEK TIPS IN SUSPICIOUS FIRES

San Bernardino... An increase in fire starts on the San Bernardino National Forest is leading arson investigators to seek the public's help in finding the cause of the Bridge Fire and other recent fires. "Earlier this summer, we had a very low rate of fire starts," said arson investigator Ron Huxman. "But in recent weeks we are seeing a very definite increase in the number of man-caused fires, particularly those caused by arson. Obviously we're very concerned about that."

Most of the fires have been along well-travelled roadways, and Huxman believes that the clues are out there to solve many of his cases. "Someone out there drove past these fires in their very early stages, and saw something that may help the investigation," added Huxman. "Whether they saw a vehicle in the area, a person watching, or something else unusual, I'm hoping they'll share that information. Even the smallest bit of information may provide the missing piece needed to solve a puzzle."

In the case of the Bridge Fire, investigators have determined that the fire is man-caused, even though they haven't been able to pinpoint the exact source of the flames. "In arson investigation, we start by ruling things out. We've ruled out lightning, and we know the fire started close to the road, so that makes it suspicious," added Huxman. "Our investigators have been on their hands and knees searching the area around the point of origin for hours, but we haven't yet found any evidence which reveals the specific cause of the fire. "

Investigators will continue to search the area, and to interview witnesses until they've exhausted all leads.

Huxman has learned over the years to be patient in his efforts. "Sometimes it takes years for the pieces to fall into place, but they always do. Particularly when the public gets involved." During his 30 year career with the Forest Service, Huxman has made 21 arson arrests leading to 19 convictions. One case is still pending. "Most of those cases were solved primarily because citizens got involved and shared the information they knew. Taking the time to write down a license number and share it with authorities can give a tremendous boost to an investigation. Vehicle descriptions are also particularly helpful," added Huxman. "I'm hoping for that one phone call that will help me solve this case and prevent future fires." Individuals with information about the Bridge Fire, or any other recent fire may contact Huxman at (909) 884-6634, ext. 3050.

[bonesmccoy]

is there a reason the admin pulled this thread off of "breaking news"????

I can't think of a more pressing issue than immediately locating the individuals involved with causing a fire like this.

[bonesmccoy]

please put this thread back up on the Breaking News line... the CHP is looking for a van involved with the Waterman fire... thanks.