Children Ignite Small Fire

Sonora, CA — Children reportedly playing with fire started a 50 foot by 50 foot vegetation fire yesterday.

The incident happened in the 21000 block of Jack Page road in Sonora at 3:52pm. Three engine units responded to the vegetation fire. It was put out and cleaned up by 5:41pm.

It is fortunate that the fire did not spread, burn permits are suspended now because of dry conditions.

Several California laws apply to fires deliberately started, but in this case it is unlikely that charges will be filed.

Health & Safety (H&SC) Code-13007, Causing Fire Liability, Any person who personally or through another willfully, negligently, or in violation of law, sets fire to, the property of another, whether privately or publicly owned, is liable to the owner of such property for any damages to the property caused by the fire.

Health & Safety (H&SC) Code-13008, Liability for Escaping Fire, Any person who allows any fire burning upon his property to escape to the property of another, whether privately or publicly owned, without exercising due diligence to control such fire, is liable to the owner of such property for the damages to the property caused by the fire.

Health & Safety (H&SC) Code-13009, Collection of Suppression Costs, Any person who negligently, or in violation of the law, sets a fire, allows a fire to be set, or allows a fire to kindled or attended by him or her to escape onto any public or private property is liable for the fire suppression costs incurred in fighting the fire and for the cost of providing rescue or emergency medical services, and those costs shall be charged against that person. The charge shall constitute a debt of that person, and is collectible by the person, or by the federal, state, county, public, or private agency, incurring those cost in the same manner as in the case of an obligation under a contract, expressed or implied.