A family that apparently held a gender-reveal party around Palm Springs, California, where they reportedly used a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device, could be held financially responsible for the massive damage and subsequent cost of putting the El Dorado fire out. The device was reportedly used to release blue or pink smoke depending on the gender of the expected baby, according to the Daily Wire.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection issued a press release stating: “CAL FIRE Law Enforcement has determined the El Dorado Fire, burning near Oak Glen in San Bernardino County, was caused by a smoke generating pyrotechnic device, used during a gender reveal party. The fire began at 10:23 am on September 5, 2020 in the El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa. The fire spread from the park to the north on to Yucaipa Ridge that separates Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls from the City of Yucaipa. CAL FIRE reminds the public that with the dry conditions and critical fire weather, it doesn’t take much to start a wildfire. Those responsible for starting fires due to negligence or illegal activity can be held financially responsible and criminally responsible.”
The Daily Wire reported that the fire had destroyed about 7,000 acres of land, with temperatures reaching 122 degrees in Palm Springs on Saturday. The outlet also noted that the Mountain Home Village and Forest Falls were threatened by the fire.
The communities of Oak Glen, Forest Falls, and Mountain Home Village were ultimately evacuated, according to the Desert Sun.
“The El Dorado Fire is burning just two miles from where the Apple Fire ravaged 33,000 acres last month, and fire officials said it would work to their advantage if the El Dorado Fire entered the burn scar,” the Desert Sun said.
Bennet Milloy, a spokesperson for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, shared with the Daily Mail that the hosts of the party were present at the scene when firefighters showed up, adding that “we know how it started because they were still there. That and the fact that there were surveillance cameras in the park.”
Malloy noted that the family was potentially civilly and criminally responsible for the ignition of the fire, which could mean facing jail time and having to pay millions of dollars as a result. He acknowledged speaking to the family, saying that they “understood the seriousness of the fire … They genuinely believed it was an accident. But I think now they understand the gravity of the situation.”
“Across the whole of California, firefighters are currently battling 23 wildfires, which have so far destroyed 1.6 million acres. Almost 15,000 firefighters were working to douse the flames, and battling against record temperatures in the state,” the Daily Mail reported.
CAL FIRE released a statement saying: “Firefighters continue to make progress on the two dozen large wildfires and lightning complexes that have been burning over the past several weeks. Yesterday, CAL FIRE responded to 49 new initial attack wildfires all of which were contained. A new wildfire ignited on the Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County that has become a major incident. As of this morning, there are over 14,100 firefighters on the frontlines across California. CAL FIRE increased staffing in preparation for critical fire weather in multiple areas of the State. While firefighters continue their battle on the current major wildfires, CAL FIRE and fire departments across the State remain prepared for potential more significant wildfires due to critical fire weather.”
“Since Aug. 15, California has battled 900 wildfires, the Associated Press previously reported. Many of the wildfires were started by an intense series of lightning strikes. In total, they have burned 1.5 million acres (2,343 square miles) of land. There have also been eight reported deaths thus far,” People magazine reported.