San Bernardino Co. District Attorney reviewing findings on El Dorado Fire, started by gender reveal party

15 January 2021

Published by https://www.desertsun.com/

USA – The San Bernardino County District Attorney’s Office is reviewing investigative reports from the county sheriff’s department regarding the El Dorado Fire, which was sparked in September during a gender reveal party held near Yucaipa.

The county DA’s office received the completed reports earlier this week, and deputy district attorneys assigned to the case will begin reviewing them, the office said Thursday in a news release. They will also review reports from Cal Fire, as well as other investigative reports and evidence.

“While we know our community wants answers, we have to be diligent and thorough in understanding every aspect of this case so that we can render the appropriate filing decision, which we anticipate issuing no later than March 1, 2021,” the DA’s office said in a statement.

The El Dorado Fire was sparked Sept. 5 after a family used a pyrotechnic device to reveal the gender of the baby the couple was expecting. A Cal Fire official on Sept. 7 told The Desert Sun that the family had “absolutely been cooperating” with officials.

Over a 23-day period, the fire burned 22,680 acres in the Oak Glen and Yucaipa Ridge areas, and within the San Gorgonio Wilderness Area of the San Bernardino National Forest. According to a Nov. 18 update, the El Dorado Fire charred a total of 22,744 acres. It was expected to be contained by Dec. 31.

Charlie Morton, a 14-year veteran firefighter with the San Bernardino National Forest, died while fighting the blaze. The fire also resulted in 13 injuries.

The fire forced the evacuations of Oak Glen, north Yucaipa, Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls and Angelus Oaks communities. It destroyed five residences and 15 other structures, and damaged four residences.

Rebecca Plevin is a reporter for The Desert Sun.