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Santa Clarita Man Accused of Tossing Cigarette Onto Fireworks, Igniting Wildfire
Investigators said fireworks likely sparked the blaze, which burned 1,048 acres and led to evacuation orders in the Angeles National Forest.
- On Friday, federal prosecutors charged 70-year-old Santa Clarita resident Rodney Ameile Saba with arson involving federal property, stemming from the October 3 Bouquet Fire that burned approximately 1,048 acres of the Angeles National Forest.
- According to the federal complaint, Saba allegedly ignited the blaze behind his residence on Bouquet Canyon Road after warning a neighbor to expect a loud noise similar to a shotgun blast.
- U.S. Forest Service fire investigators determined the fire was "probably caused by fireworks" after ruling out lightning and campfires, while witnesses reported hearing a powerful explosion before flames rapidly spread up the hillside.
- Saba, who has multiple prior felony convictions, was arrested by local authorities the day the fire started and is expected to make an initial appearance in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
- If convicted of the federal arson charge, Saba faces a statutory maximum sentence of up to 20 years in federal prison, following an investigation that included assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department's Arson Explosives Detail.
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A federal investigation attributed the Bouquet fire of 1,048 acres to fireworks; 70-year-old Rodney Saba was accused of provoking fire
·Los Angeles, United States
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Santa Clarita man accused of tossing cigarette onto fireworks, igniting wildfire
A Santa Clarita man is accused of starting a wildfire that burned more than 1,000 acres of the Angeles National Forest and prompted evacuation orders. Rodney Ameile Saba, 70, of Santa Clarita, was charged with arson involving federal property, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on Oct. 9. The “Bouquet Fire” was ignited on Oct. 3 [...]
·Los Angeles, United States
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Total News Sources12
Leaning Left2Leaning Right2Center6Last UpdatedBias Distribution60% Center
Bias Distribution
- 60% of the sources are Center
60% Center
L 20%
C 60%
R 20%
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