David and Travis Shane Smith, the father-son duo charged with reckless arson in the 2021 #CaldorFire, will face preliminary hearing October 10 in El Dorado Superior Court.

They gave one-word answers to the judge when asked if they agreed to waive their speedy trial rights to allow for the delay.

The arson counts against them carry potential sentences of 6 years. There are also weapons charges in the case.

#california #laketahoe #abc10 #wildfires

Early start today in a muggy, damp Placerville, #California… where we’ll have a status update in People vs. Smith: the #CaldorFire reckless arson case against a father-son pair.

The fire burned for weeks and forced the evacuation of most of the #LakeTahoe basin in 2021.

The 2-day preliminary hearing (mini bench trial to establish probable cause) was supposed to start tomorrow, but we expect it to be delayed. #abc10 #wildfire

@cynblogger Good place to get blazed! #CaldorFire #TooSoon?

"They didn't start the fire," a lawyer for David and Shane Smith told me.

The hearing set for August will be worth watching, as El Dorado prosecutors have released scant details of the evidence that they believe can prove the father and son started the 2021 #CaldorFire.

The #wildfire destroyed nearly 350 square miles of Sierra forest, injured at least 3 people, burned 1000 buildings, and forced the evacuation of all of South Lake Tahoe.

STORY: https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/hearing-set-for-men-accused-of-starting-caldor-fire/103-3e587888-568f-4cc6-b2cd-5ab7089f9792

Just got back from Placerville, where the father and son accused of starting the massive #CaldorFire appeared in court today.

An evidentiary hearing is set for August, to determine whether the two will be bound over for trial on reckless arson and gun charges.
#wildfire #wildfires #crime #California

#ABC10 STORY: https://www.abc10.com/article/news/local/hearing-set-for-men-accused-of-starting-caldor-fire/103-3e587888-568f-4cc6-b2cd-5ab7089f9792

The #CaldorFire burn scar really stands out against the snowpack.

Here’s the view from Hwy 50 in Meyers.

Firefighters (helped by LOTS of advance forest treatment work) kept the fire from spreading in Christmas Valley, which is why the foreground trees survived… but the mountain forest above burned intensely: it’s toothpicks now.

#wildfires #wildfire #laketahoe #cawx #abc10

Along Hwy 50 on the way to South #LakeTahoe.

The great melt is going strong. Burned trees from the #CaldorFire surround you on this drive.

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans experienced a #climate disaster this summer, from #Hurricane #Ida to the #CaldorFire

Nearly 1 in 3 Americans live in a county hit by a weather disaster in the past 3 months.
On top of that, 64 % live in places that experienced a multiday #HeatWave — phenomena that are not officially deemed disasters but are considered the most dangerous form of #ExtremeWeather.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/climate-environment/2021/09/04/climate-disaster-hurricane-ida/

#ClimateCrisis

"USFS and cal fire firefighters prepare hose to haul up 1200 vertical ft of steep fireline to extend a 6,000 ft hoselay above kirkwood last night. Hiking in the fire, in the middle of the night, at 7500 feet with 60 lbs or more on their backs. They deserve our thanks. #caldorfire"

via: https://twitter.com/stuartpalley/status/1433515221952303127

Some of you may know of the #CaldorFire in Northern California close to Lake Tahoe. If you're watching from afar and want to help, consider donating to the El Dorado Community Foundation Caldor Fire Fund: https://edcf.fcsuite.com/erp/donate/create?funit_id=1792