Human caused LA forest fire, official says

Published 9:41 am Wednesday, September 2, 2009

LOS ANGELES — A U.S. Forest Service official says the huge wildfire burning in the mountains north of Los Angeles was human-caused.

Deputy incident commander Carlton Joseph said today that it’s not known specifically how it was started. Investigators will be trying to determine whether it was accidental or arson.

Carlton says investigators have leads that brought them to the conclusion but he will not give any further information. Carlton notes that the options were lightning or a human cause and lightning has been ruled out.

The 140,000-acre blaze erupted Aug. 26. The ignition point has only been identified as mile marker 29 on Angeles Crest Highway.