By Gillian Flaccus
The Associated Press
Dozens of people displaced by a wind-driven wildfire packed into a local RV park for an emotional meeting where law enforcement officials vowed to catch those responsible for starting the blaze that killed five firefighters.
Residents of Twin Pines and Poppet Flat gave a standing ovation during the gathering Wednesday night after a U.S. Forest Service employee broke down while announcing the firefighters’ funerals.
Services Planned for Fallen California Firefighters
“This is a very sad and difficult time for all of us. We can’t express how much your support and love means to us,” said Gabriel Garcia, district ranger for the San Bernardino National Forest, as he fought back tears.
Officials declined to talk about the ongoing arson investigation, other than to say it was “evolving.” They assured residents they were aggressively pursuing leads.
“Since the 26th of October, my anger has not dissipated and my resolve has not weakened,” said Riverside County Undersheriff Neil Lingle. “I want to be able to look at each one of you and say, `You will see justice.’”
A man described by authorities as “a person of interest” in the deadly Esperanza arson fire was arrested late Tuesday for investigation of two wildfires set in the region earlier this year.
Raymond Lee Oyler, 36, was being held in connection with two June fires in the Banning Pass area, a windy corridor that carries Interstate 10 between mountain ranges west of Palm Springs.
Riverside County prosecutors had not filed any charges against Oyler, who was expected to appear at his first court hearing on Thursday. The case was still being investigated, said Ingrid Wyatt, a spokeswoman for the district attorney. Oyler remained jailed in lieu of $25,000 bail.
The Esperanza fire was set shortly after 1 a.m. on Oct. 26 in Cabazon, a city 90 miles southeast of Los Angeles. Stoked by Santa Ana winds, it destroyed 34 homes and charred 40,200 acres — or about 60 square miles — before being contained Monday.
Investigators interviewed Oyler on Oct. 27 and served a search warrant on his Beaumont residence Monday, according to a Sheriff’s Department statement that described his detention as a “probable cause arrest.”
Authorities stressed that Oyler was only being held in connection with the June fires.
“Oyler is not a suspect in the ‘Esperanza Fire,’ but is a person of interest,” the statement said.
Two young men were picked up by sheriff’s deputies for questioning on Monday and were then released. Authorities have said they would be questioning multiple people.
A reward for information leading to an arrest has reached $550,000.
In Joplin, Mo., police and court records show Oyler had several traffic violations and other mostly minor run-ins with the law from 1997 through 1999.
The most severe was a 1999 misdemeanor count of violating a protection order won by his wife by entering her apartment while she was out. Oyler was alleged to have taken personal items and a puppy, but a warrant issued in the case was never served. Jasper County circuit court records show Oyler’s wife divorced him in 2001.
The Wednesday meeting was held at the same location where hundreds of residents were temporarily trapped during the worst of the fire. As residents visited booths to sign up for assistance and information, many said they were overwhelmed, but appreciated the offers of help.
“This is what I needed. It’s so confusing...I just want to get my life back quickly,” said Gayelyn Smith, a resident of Twin Pines whose home burned down.