Four people were sentenced for starting the Pier Fire that burned more than 36,000 acres east of Springville, California in Giant Sequoia National Monument and Sequoia National Forest in August and September of 2017.
On Monday Isiac Renteria, 23, Richard Renteria, 25, Osvaldo Esparza-Guerrero, and Breana Ojeda, 24, each pleaded guilty to felony charges related to arson. They received sentences of 9 years suspended prison with credit for serving 3 years in custody, except for Ojeca who received a sentence of 3 years, 4 months of suspended prison.
All four were ordered to pay $40 million in restitution, which was the cost of damages and suppression of the Pier Fire. There will be a restitution hearing on October 6.
Investigators determined that they burned a stolen vehicle, which ignited the wildfire.
Thanks and a tip of the hat go out to Jim.
