A 36-year-old man has been arrested and will be charged with murder in the deaths of five firefighters in a wildfire east of Los Angeles, authorities in Riverside County, California, said today.
The county's district attorney, Ron Pacheco, said he will file a complaint later today against Raymond Lee Oyler, who is accused of starting the Esperanza fire. Oyler will face five counts of first-degree murder, one for each firefighter who died.
The California Department of Forestry declared the Esperanza fire contained on Oct. 30. The fire had burned 40,200 acres (16,200 hectares) since its start Oct. 26. The fire began in brush near Cabazon, about 20 miles west of Palm Springs. The blaze shot up the arid California hills and was spread by dry, gusting winds.
``Within the next 60 days, we will decide whether to seek the death penalty,'' Pacheco said.
The D.A. noted that the counts against Oyler will include ``special circumstances'' because the murders occurred as a result of arson and because multiple murders were committed. Oyler will also be charged with counts related to having items related to arson and incendiary devices.
Read More
