In 2020, Refugio Manuel Jimenez Jr and Angelina Renee Jimenez started what became known as the El Dorado fire. On Friday, they were convicted and sentenced after accepting a plea deal.
Taking the deal
Refugio pleaded guilty to one felony count of involuntary manslaughter and two felony counts of recklessly causing a fire to an inhabited structure. He was sentenced to one year in county jail, two years of felony probation, and 200 hours of community service.
Different sentence
Angelina pleaded guilty to three misdemeanor counts and was sentenced to one year of probation and community service.
Innocuous start
On the morning of September 5, 2020, Refugio and Angelina were hosting a gender-reveal party in the El Dorado Ranch Park in southern California. They had set up some pyrotechnics as part of their party preparations.
Sparks fly
When the couple set off a smoke bomb, it set some dry grass alight. The pair threw their bottled water on the growing blaze but were unable to put it out.
Escalating situation
After failing to put out the fire, the Jiminezes reported it to the authorities. Firefighters arrived less than twenty minutes after the smoke bomb went off.
Too slow
Despite the rapid response, by the time the fire crews arrived the blaze was already five acres large. High temperatures and low humidity helped the flames spread extremely rapidly.
Emergency
The next day, California Governor Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in San Bernadino County and ordered multiple areas to evacuate. The fire had ballooned to over 7,000 acres.
Desperate battle
While firefighters managed to stop the blaze heading further south, and a dip in temperatures slowed its growth, by September 8 it was well over 11,000 acres. More evacuations were ordered.
Wind blowing
On September 9, strong winds set the fire raging even stronger than before. A few days later, it had engulfed over 14,000 acres.
Heroic battle
Firefighters battled day and night to keep the fire under control, and managed to save some areas from evacuating. By September 15, the fire was almost 18,000 acres large, but had been mostly contained.
Deadly fight
A couple of days later, the conflagration had engulfed over 21,500 acres, not including local fires sparked by strong gusts of wind. On September 17, one of these fires killed a firefighter.
Lengthy burn
In total, the fire burned until mid-November, engulfing over 22,500 acres in 71 days. Over $42 million was spent on fighting and eventually suppressing the massive blaze.
Costly damages
As well as the tragic death of Charlie Morton, a firefighter, the El Dorado fire caused 13 injuries and destroyed 20 buildings.
Long-term destruction
For two years after the fire, areas in and near the burn scar were periodically threatened by mudflows and landslides. These occasionally prompted evacuation orders to be issued.
Initial plea
Though the Jimenezes cooperated with the firefighters, when they were charged on July 20, 2021, they pleaded not guilty. They subsequently requested the charges against them to be dismissed — twice.
Paying up
As part of their sentence, the couple has been ordered to pay over $1.78 million to those affected by the fire they started.
Not the first time
In 2017, the detonation of a tannerite target at a gender reveal party in Arizona started what became known as the Sawmill Fire. The massive blaze destroyed almost 47,000 acres and cost over $8 million to contain, though it is not believed to have injured or killed anyone nor destroyed any buildings.
Sad day
“To the victims who lost so much, including their homes with valuables and memories, we understand those are intangibles [that] can never be replaced,” San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson stated. “Our hope with this resolution is that it closes a painful chapter in your lives, and the restitution provides a measure of assistance in becoming whole again.”
Lose-lose
“Resolving the case was never going to be a win,” Anderson acknowledged.
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