Lost camper, trying to signal rescuers, starts wildfire
A camper who lighted a signal fire in the brush after getting lost in the foothills of the San Bernardino National Forest on Tuesday night near Yucaipa started a blaze that had torched 125 acres by Wednesday afternoon, fire authorities said.
Nearly 400 firefighters, four helicopters and four air tankers beat back the Jefferson fire, which began about 10:20 p.m. Tuesday, approximately two miles north of Yucaipa.
No homes were threatened Wednesday as the fire burned northwest to the Yucaipa Ridge in steep terrain and heavy brush that was between 6 and 10 feet tall. With low winds throughout the day, firefighters were able to get the upper hand on the blaze by late afternoon when it was 40% contained.
U.S. Forest Service spokesman John Miller said the agency was not releasing the identity of the adult male camper.
The camper, who was about a mile from where he started when he set the signal fire, had planned to join four other campers, who had set up camp before sundown after hiking up a drainage area in the forest.
“Federal criminal charges are pending review,” Miller said.
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