Hunt Stepped Up For SoCal Wildfire Culprit

Reward Up To $500,000 For Arsonist Responsible For Blaze That Has Killed 4, Charred 24,000 Acres

(CBS/AP)  As flames roared through the canyons of Southern California, authorities increased the reward to $500,000 Friday for the arrest of the arsonist responsible for the deaths of four firefighters in the nation's worst such tragedy in five years.

A fifth firefighter lay in grave condition with burns over 90 percent of his body.

Firefighters labored through thick smoke as curtains of wind-whipped orange flame pushed through uninhabited brushland about 90 miles east of Los Angeles. The blaze that broke out Thursday destroyed about 10 structures, including homes, forced 700 people to flee, and flushed coyotes and other wildlife into the open.

Investigators have not said how they know the nearly 40-square-mile blaze was arson, how it was set, or why. But they said those responsible could face murder charges.

Two young men were seen leaving the area where the fire broke out about 1 a.m. Thursday.

Sources close to investigation tell CBS News that the fire was probably started by something as something as simple as a lighter, which would have been used to ignite dry grasses along the road. They say the arsonist picked the spot because it is like a wind tunnel — a nearly constant wind powers Palm Springs generators just down the road.

There have been more than 25 arson fires in the Palm Springs area in the last few weeks. But solving the case won't be easy, reports CBS News correspondent Bill Whitaker. Almost three years ago to the day, another arson fire, the so-called "Old Fire," killed four people and burned thousands of houses. That arsonist has never been caught. Even if investigators do find a suspect, proving wildfire arson in incredibly difficult. They have to rule out any possibility of a natural cause or even something as simple as a spark from a car.

More than 1,700 firefighters worked to corral the advancing flames. Winds gusted to 45 mph but kept the flames moving through undeveloped land, away from homes in Riverside County. Mop-up work was under way back in the mountain communities where the flames swept through the previous day. Hundreds of people were allowed to leave an RV park where they had taken refuge, and many other families were able to return to their homes. About 400 people remained evacuated Friday evening.

The U.S. Forest Service firefighters were killed on Thursday when the wind blew a wall of flames down on them in the hills near Palm Springs as they tried to protect a home.

It was the worst disaster involving firefighters battling a wildfire since 2001, when four firefighters were trapped by flames and killed in Washington state.

James Pence, 63, said that shortly after the fire started in the town of Cabazon, he saw two unfamiliar young men leaving the area, which he said is close to a teenage hangout known as Raccoon Rock. “These kids didn't belong here. They were strange people,” Pence said.

Tim Bowers, 49, said he was awakened by his dog, looked outside his trailer and saw flames on a hillside about 100 yards away. He said two unfamiliar young men walked away from the fire.

“I looked at them. They looked at me. Then they turned their heads and kept walking,” Bowers said. The two were gone by the time he alerted an arriving firefighter, he said.

Sheriff's detectives interviewed the Cabazon trailer park neighbors and fielded about 100 tips.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger added $100,000 in state money to a reward already posted by Riverside County for information leading to the arsonist. San Bernardino County and the Morongo Band of Mission Indians, which has a casino, added another $200,000. A Rancho Mirage resident, Tim Blixseth also donated $100,000, bringing the total to $500,000.

[cloudstr1f3]

I think you all are whacked.... if u look closely at anything u can see anything you want to see.... its in ur imagination..... wow there isn't a lot of common sense nowadays..

[shengirl]

hey sunflwr4real, maybe you should read your New Testament. Jesus says he comes to proclaim just that, a NEW Testament, one of love and forgiveness, to supplant the Old Testament. Not that vengeance and wrath ***. Like too many so-called Christians, you haven't even read what Jesus said. Explain to me how, even by Old Testament standards where a sin is passed on to future generations, men in CA. should die for bikers raping someone in VT? If you are truly a follower of Jesus, it should come from your heart, not your spleen. You dishonor all he tried to teach, and the new lesson he tried to bring to the world. Stop the hatred and judgements. What gives you the right?

[teetee29488]

I THINK THE ONES RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS SHOULD PAY DEARLY! I ALSO THINK IF ANY RELIGION IS GOING TO BROUGHT INTO THIS IT SHOULD BE ALL OF US PRAYING FOR THE FIREFIGHTERS' FAMILIES AND THOSE STILL FIGHTING TO PROTECT THE PEOPLE AND PROPERTIES. I THINK IF SOMEONE DOES RECEIVE A REWARD, PERHAPS PASS IT ON TO THE ONES THAT WILL NOT HAVE A DADDY OR HUSBAND OR SON COMING HOME. TO THE ONES RESPONSIBLE, TURN YOURSELF IN! IF IT WAS ACCIDENTAL, THEN SAY SO BUT COME FORWARD! MY COMMENTS TO SUNFLOWER, MAYBE YOU SHOULD GO BY THE NAME FLOWER CHILD!

[roach9703]

The tragedy of these fires is very apparent, the clash between man and nature. We build in places where floods are often common and places like forests where fires can be a risk. It is a old balance of risk versus benefit. We have known for years the risks of wild fires in California,Oregon, Colorado, etc. This is how we live, and taking risks is how we built America.

[sainiksangh]

Comment by snflwr4real is a fine expression of what ails the American society and how events can be interpreted. Too much materialism is leading to uncontrolled pursuit of prosperity which leads to counter effects in nature.Arson or no arson this is surely a man made catastrophy

[j9er2]

to the women/man seeing jesus in the clouds...WOW!! It's time you get some professional help and check yourself into the insane asylum. you make absolutely no sense, your scary. you should take some advice from the person who wrote below me.
It was a fire, apparently started from arson. I hope these people are found and charged harshly. arsonists always seem to get away, and its not right.
thank you thank you to all the brave firemen out there

[ellygumera]

snflwr4real

I totally disagree...God is not of "Anger" and "Revenged". He sees it coming, but He will not stop it! It is only you, me and everyone here on Planet Earth that controls our destiny.
God will provide man with his grace and blessings, but man has to make a choice between doing good and something which is not good.

[ey200]

You are a real sick freak!!! I guess it's your time to toot your horn and preach your ***. Get real!!!!

[soniq701]

Arsonist??!!
Yeah, who knows better how to set a fire?!

[soniq701]

It is easy and well known that, there are 'extreme' thrill seeking firefighters out there themselves starting the fires. Both for raking in huge paychecks...work as long as you wish daily... and for the "glory" of it!!!