Federal Prosecutors Drop Charges Against Rim Fire Suspect

STUDIO CITY (CBSLA.com) — The deaths of two key witnesses have forced federal prosecutors to drop charges against a man suspected of starting a massive wildfire in Yosemite.

The Rim Fire burned more than 250,000 acres and nearly a dozen homes before it was contained in late October, 2013, more than two months after it was sparked.

A 33-year-old hunter is accused of starting an illegal campfire that got out of control.

Prosecutors say without the witnesses who have died they can no longer prove their case.