Father-son duo accused of starting Caldor wildfire
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE – A father and son have been arrested on suspicion of starting the Caldor wildfire, which charred more than 220,000 acres in Alpine, Amador and El Dorado counties, authorities said.
David Scott Smith, 66, and Travis Shane Smith, 32, were arrested on Ramey warrants, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office said Wednesday afternoon. A Ramey warrant is a type of warrant that is issued before criminal charges are filed.
The two men are accused of “reckless arson,” prosecutors said.
The Caldor Fire ignited on Aug. 14 and ultimately covered 221,835 acres before being contained on Oct. 21, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Just over 1,000 structures were destroyed and five people were injured.