Global Courant
California wildfire authorities have arrested a senior Mariposa County man who has been identified as the suspect responsible for starting the July 2022 oak fire that burned more than 19,000 acres of vegetation and more than 125 residential buildings.
Cal Fire said in a statement Friday that 71-year-old Edward Fredrick Wackerman was arrested on multiple felony charges, including suspicion of aggravated arson, arson causing grievous bodily harm and arson causing damage or destruction to inhabited structures.
The arrest and investigation of the case was conducted by Cal Fire law enforcement, the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, the US Forest Service law enforcement, the National Park Service’s law enforcement, Madera County District Attorney investigators, the Mariposa County District Attorney’s office, the California State Attorney General’s Office of the Department of Justice and the FBI.
The Mariposa County District Attorney said Wackerman’s allegations have “serious legal ramifications” and the investigation is under review.
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The oak fire passed through the Mariposa, California area on July 23, 2022. (Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
A related press conference is scheduled for Tuesday morning at the Mariposa County Courthouse.
Cal Fire has not provided details of what led to the arrest and no charges have been filed.
A Billings 4AJ helicopter drops a water drop at the Oak Fire near Mariposa, California on July 26, 2022. (DAVID MCNEW/AFP via Getty Images)
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It was not immediately clear whether Wackerman had an attorney to speak on his behalf.
This photo, provided by the Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office, shows 71-year-old Edward Wackerman of Mariposa who was arrested Friday, June 16, 2023 on suspicion of arson that caused grievous bodily harm and destroyed occupied buildings. Wackerman was arrested on suspicion of starting a wildfire that destroyed more than 100 homes near Yosemite National Park last year, fire officials said. (Mariposa County Sheriff’s Office via AP)
According to the Cal Fire release, the blaze took place in the Midpines area, near Yosemite National Park, and tore through 19,244 acres of vegetation, 127 residential structures and 66 outbuildings.
Charred remains of a home were left behind after the oak fire swept through the mountains near Mariposa on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The wildfire injured three firefighters and thousands of people were forced to evacuate.
Firefighters extinguished hot spots from the oak fire along Darrah Road near Mariposa on Tuesday, July 26, 2022. (Luis Sinco/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Global Courant
The agency reminded the public to be vigilant and report suspicious activity to authorities, noting that callers to the Cal Fire arson hotline can remain anonymous.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Julia Musto is a reporter for Fox News and Fox Business Digital.
