The Associated Press
MARIPOSA, Calif. — State fire officials aren't recommending charges for a 28-year-old target shooter from Mariposa suspected of sparking a massive wildfire that burnt down 30 homes.
The young man, who has not been identified, has admitted that he started the fire at 3:15 p.m. on June 25 while shooting along a river bank in a remote area west of Yosemite National Park.
Authorities say he used a legal weapon and purposefully moved near the water to reduce the risk of sparking a blaze.
Once the fire was sparked, he tried calling authorities and flagged down officials to alert them about the blaze.
Investigators with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection believe the fire was an accident.
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