Nearly Out, California’s Holy Fire Bursts Back to Life

The so-called “Holy Fire,” which started burning in California’s Cleveland National Park on August 6 and had been 91 percent contained, has burst back into life.

The fire, which ravaged 22,986 acres in Orange and Riverside counties, started on Aug. 6, likely as the result of arson. A disgruntled and potentially unstable homeowner allegedly set his neighbors’ homes on fire, and the flames spread throughout the National Park.

The Cleveland National Park website announced on Aug. 21, that the fire was 91 percent contained, and projected that it would be completely extinguished by Sept. 1.  Some news outlets reported on Aug. 27 that the fire was entirely out, based on an incident alert on the Cal Fire website.

Then around 10 a.m. on Aug. 27, a stationary camera on top of Santiago Peak showed a flare-up, which quickly spread to engulf 150 acres.

A plane drops fire retardant as flames from the Holy Fire spread near some communications towers atop Santiago Peak on Aug. 27. HPWREN via Storyful screenshot

Tankers and Choppers

Orange County Fire Authority reposted a tweet around 11 a.m. local time on Aug. 27, that it was sending five air tankers and four helicopters to do water drops on the new flare-up, with ground crews to be deployed when the fire is beaten back to the point where it is safe to send firefighters in on foot.

There were no homes near the new flare-up. The Fire Authority was concerned about several communications towers atop Santiago peak, the highest point in Orange County.

The towers serve law enforcement, including police, CHP and fire officials, as well as public broadcast television and commercial radio and television stations, Orange County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Carrie Braun told the Orange County Register.

Forrest Gordon Clark, 51, was arrested on suspicion of two counts of felony arson, one count of felony threat to terrorize, and one count of misdemeanor resisting arrest. Orange County Sheriff’s Department

Started by Arson?

Orange County Sheriff’s Deputies arrested Forrest Gordon Clark, 51, on August 7 on suspicion of two counts of arson, one count of felony threat to terrorize, and one misdemeanor count of resisting arrest, the Orange County Register reported. His bail was set at $1 million.

Clark, who owns a cabin in Holy Jim Canyon, apparently sent emails saying “This place will burn” to Volunteer Fire Chief Mike Milligan a week before the fire started.

Clark’s cabin was one of over a dozen clustered in Holy Jim’s Canyon—and the only one not consumed by the flames.

According to Milligan, who owned one of the destroyed cabins, Clark had an ongoing feud with all his neighbors, and particularly with Milligan.

When deputies arrived to question him, Clark stripped naked except for a large gold medallion, and began shouting at the deputies.

From NTD.tv

Watch Next:

The First Ever Ministerial to Advance Religious Freedom Inspires Hope

The freedom of belief was at the center of the United States’ founding.