Raymond Lee Oyler, 36, is in custody and being charged with 1st degree arson and murder.
5 counts of murder with special circumstances
11 counts of arson with special circumstances
10 counts of using an incendiary device
Life in prison without parole or death are possible sentences. Feelings of family members will be considered.
POPPET FLAT, Calif. — California authorities have recommended
Raymond Lee Oyler be charged with murder, arson and other crimes in connection with the Esperanza wildfire that killed five firefighters.The district attorney supports the decision, police said.
Authorities had earlier vowed to find who was responsible for the deadly fire that was started west of the San Jacinto Mountains and quickly swept through the area, scorching 40,200 acres — or about 60 square miles — and destroying 34 homes before being contained Monday.
Oyler, previously described by authorities as "a person of interest" in the deadly fire, was arrested late Tuesday for investigation of two wildfires set in the region earlier this year.
Oyler, 36, was earlier being held in connection with two June fires in the Banning Pass area, a windy corridor that carries Interstate 10 between mountain ranges west of Palm Springs.
Oyler was expected to appear at his first court hearing on Thursday. The case was still being investigated, said Ingrid Wyatt, a spokeswoman for the district attorney. Oyler remained jailed in lieu of $25,000 bail.
Our full coverage of the Esperanso California wildfire HERE
Glad they charged him.
Did I tell you that my dad drove down to Temecula the first day of the fire? He went up over the Banning Pass and then down to Temecula that way. He said the smoke was so thick at times that it was quite dark.
Posted by: Specter | 02 November 2006 at 03:26 PM
I'm surprised he got through although I don't think they closed down 79 until the third day or so. I'm on the North end of Temecula closer to Murrieta but just a block and a half off 79 and it was as dark as midnight at 4:30 in the afternoon and everyone was having trouble breathing. The emergency rooms were full with those gasping for breath. The mood around here is ugly. The worst part is he is from Beaumont and that is in the heart of fire country, he knew better, he knew exactly what he was doing, and this is not the only fire he is being charged with having set. Two from earlier in the Summer are being blamed on him as well. I hope he fries.
Posted by: Sara (Squiggler) | 02 November 2006 at 04:01 PM
Especially during the Santa Anna winds.
Posted by: Specter | 02 November 2006 at 04:07 PM
On Mother's day about 16 years ago a fire came through our neighborhood. Apparently started by illegals cooking fire. It swept up both sides of the valley we lived in. That night I watched the fire crawling across the mountain in front of our house - the edge of the National Forest. As the flames hit a scrub oak it would go up like fireworks with all the leaves showering out a hundred feet all around. Those leaf-sparks would ignite the scrub and a new line of fire would break out. The bombers were putting down retardant on the houses across the street - pink everywhere! Late the next day - along the same ridge - about every hundred yards, standing in the smoldering remnants of the fire, was one of the CDF fire fighters. It was a pretty cool sight. Very moving. You end up being very glad that they are there - even if you don't always know it.
Posted by: Specter | 02 November 2006 at 04:16 PM