Teenagers playing with matches, according to a Los Angeles Fire Department arson investigator, caused the brush fire that torched nearly five acres in the Palisades Highlands on May 4.
The number of juveniles involved is not yet confirmed, according to David Liske, senior lead investigator, who spoke with the Post July 10 by phone. The case has been referred to the juvenile branch of the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Office in Inglewood.
Rich Schmitt/Staff Photographer
Liske added that LAFD arson investigators have completed their work on the case at this point, unless additional investigation is requested by the DA’s office.
More than 250 firefighters from across L.A. and at least three helicopters battled the May 4 blaze for more than four hours.
No one was hurt, no structures were damaged and no evacuation orders were placed.
When the fire was first reported, LAFD responded to Santa Ynez Canyon near the 17100 block of Avenida de Santa Ynez. Liske said the fire began in an area of brush in the hills above that location.
Public safety officials announced at a debriefing at the Palisades Branch Library that what complicated matters during the height of the fire, was that a Los Angeles Fire Department helicopter had to divert a 360-gallon water drop-off because Highlands residents were illegally using a fire road to get back to their homes.
The officials at the debriefing meeting proposed doing a drill in the Highlands in the future, as well as holding more meetings about best practices for wildfires. In addition, officials agreed to include local security firms, like ADT, in the safety communications plan.
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