Children playing with matches started a fire in Happy Valley shortly after 11:30 a.m. Tuesday, Shasta County fire officials said. The fire began in an apricot orchard north of Monte Vista off of Palm Avenue.
As the fire spread from two acres to five, the wind changed directions several times, said Chris Willson of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL-Fire.)
Hand crews, engines and water tenders from Happy Valley, Anderson and CAL Fire worked on scene helping to extinguish the blaze.
On the Pine Fire, additional resources included two air tankers, two bulldozers, two inmate hand crews, two water tenders and six engine crews. The fire was contained at approximately 1 p.m., officials said.
A local resident told authorities he saw several children run away after he first noticed the smoke.
"Fires caused by children and matches are most common this time of year when kids are getting ready to go back to school. They are also common at the end of the school year. With the weather we have been experiencing, the fire conditions are critical," said CAL-Fire official Mike Birando.
Children that are convicted of starting fires are put into the Junior Fire Setter Program where they watch videos of children playing with fire and how dangerous it is to them and those around them, Birondo said. After completing the program, the success rate is 85 to 95 percent that they will not be repeat offenders, he added.
Parents of those children could also be asked to pay for any costs associated with putting the fire out, depending on the fire's circumstances, Birondo said.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 1
Tammohawk writes:
The parents should of taught the kids a long time ago how dangerous it is to play with matches! Especially living out here in Happy Valley. I feel the parents should pay for the costs associated with this fire. If the kids had of been watched a bit closer, this wouldn't of happened.
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