Arsonist set Highway 36 Halloween fires
Arsonist set Highway 36 Halloween fires
08 November 2011
published by www.lassennews.com
USA — Arsonist set Highway 36 Halloween fires
Nov. 8, 2011 Halloween started off with burning passion. On Monday, Oct. 31, about 5 a.m. emergency services responded to Highway 36 on the west side of Westwood, Calif.
Five fires were intentionally started just off the roadway between the Lassen and Plumas county line.
Three fires were started on the Lassen County side and two were started on the Plumas County side.
Together, several fire services responded to the area of the fire starts. Among them were Clear Creek Volunteer and Westwood volunteer Fire departments and Cal Fire with an engine. All five starts combined involved less than an acre of land.
California Highway Patrol and the Plumas County Sheriffs Department assisted responding fire emergency services.
There were witnesses to the arsonists attempt to ignite a wildland fire.
The caller described a suspicious person seen in the area: a young male wearing dark clothing and carrying a backpack near the scene of the fires.
The tip led Plumas County deputies to the arrest of the arson suspect.
Andrew Giampapa was booked into Plumas County Jail on two charges of arson, violation of probation and he was also allegedly under the influence of a controlled substance.
Other charges have not been made available however Giampapa may be facing three counts of arson in Lassen County as well. Giampapas age and other possible pending charges have not been released at this time.
Mischievous bear starts a fire
Smokey Bear had his work cut out for him over the weekend. On Saturday night, Oct. 29, a bear in the Keddie Ridge area did not pay heed to Smokeys great words of wisdom.
It was reported by Susanville Interagency Fire Center (SIFC) in the Plumas County area of Keddie Ridge a mischievous bear got into an electrical box on state land.
The bear allegedly broke into the box and caused damage by ripping and/or chewing on electric wires. The damage caused a fire to spark, burning about one acre of land.
The Keddie Ridge fire was contained and put out with the use of two engines, two ground crews and 1 helicopter from the Vina Station.
