Crime & Safety

News Analysis: Cal Fire Has an Arson Suspect, But What About the Other Blazes?

Banning-Beaumont Patch video by Guy McCarthy.

Last week Riverside County District Attorney Paul Zellerbach announced charges against a suspected arsonist at a news conference with San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, Cal Fire Southern Region Chief Dale Hutchinson, and Cal Fire/Riverside County Fire Chief John Hawkins.

Steven Taylor Rutherford, 47, is charged with 13 felony counts of arson in connection with nine fires in and near the San Gorgonio Pass, including the Mill Fire on Friday June 28 that ripped through the Mentone-Yucaipa area.

Prosecutors and Cal Fire released a list and a map on July 3 showing the blazes Rutherford is suspected of starting.

But what about the other fires in the San Gorgonio Pass?

There was no update on the cause of the Summit Fire that broke out May 1 near Mias Canyon Road and Bluff Road at the north end of San Gorgonio Avenue, swept over Banning Bench, destroyed one home and scorched more than 3,100 acres.

There was no update on the cause of the Hathaway Fire, which broke out Sunday June 9 on the Morongo Indian Reservation, burned over 3,800 acres, and has cost at least $13 million to date.

And there's been no official announcement or update on the cause of the fire that ripped through Ray's RV in Banning on March 3, 2011.

These are just a few of the fires that have destroyed property and consumed taxpayers' money in the past few years, with no final announcement of cause from Cal Fire, the Forest Service, or anyone else.

Fire investigators work long hours to determine cause and close cases when necessary. Investigators and prosecutors time their announcements carefully when it comes to criminal charges.

When they portray themselves as acting swiftly and announcing causes, it's legitimate to ask: What about the other fires?

Patch Editor Guy McCarthy can be reached at (909) 263-8610 or guy.mccarthy@patch.com.


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