Officials are investigating arson as one cause of the devastating wildfires sweeping southern California after a burned body was discovered on Thursday.
The body was found in a transient camp in Carlsbad, a suburb of San Diego. Several wildfires have torn through California this week, causing over $20 million in damage, and forcing thousands of residents to evacuate their homes.
Although wildfires are a seasonal occurrence in California, investigators are particularly concerned with the numerous fires around San Diego County in a short time period.
Since the fires began on Tuesday, over 15 square miles have been burned, and 125,000 evacuation notices have been issued. A state of emergency was declared by Governor Jerry Brown on Wednesday.
13,000 evacuations occurred on Thursday alone due to a wildfire in San Marcos. The city's California State campus canceled graduation ceremonies that day as well.
Sheriff Bill Gore said that although high temperatures and dry conditions increase the frequency of wildfires, there are suspicions that some of the blazes were caused by arson.
19-year-old Isaiah Silva and a 17-year-old minor were caught setting small brush fires in Escondido on Thursday, and Gore said there may be other arson cases. He urged anyone with information to contact police.
Air tankers and military helicopters are being used to combat the blazes, and were instrumental in firefighting efforts at Camp Pendleton.
Many residents were able to return home Friday, although there was a wildfire in the area this afternoon. Some will be able to begin the process of rebuilding, as a condominium complex, two businesses, and eight homes were lost this week.
The name of the transient person who was killed has not been released to the public.
