Clover Fire Explained

Clover Fire
Fatalities:1
Injuries:6
Reference:[1]
Location:Shasta County, California
Coordinates:40.4983°N -122.5355°W
Pushpin Map:USA California
Pushpin Map Caption:Location of fire in California
Area:8073acres
Cause:Arson
Perps:Zane Peterson

The Clover Fire was a fatal wildfire in Shasta County, California. It burned from September 9 to September 15, 2013 in an area near the communities of Happy Valley and Igo, California, about 10 miles southwest of Redding. It burned more than 8000acres and caused one death and six injuries.[2] Damages were estimated at $65 million. One man has been charged with arson in the case.[3]

Progression

The fire was named for its origin near Cloverdale Road.[4] It started around 12:30 PM on September 9 and spread quickly due to strong winds and dry conditions. The fire spread so fast that some residents were given just minutes to evacuate.[5] The fire was fully contained on September 15.[6] The cost of suppressing the Clover Fire came to more than $7.3 million.[7]

Effects

Brian Stanley Henry, age 55, a resident of Igo who formerly worked as a California Department of Forestry firefighter and timber faller, died in the fire.

Damages from the fire were estimated at $65 million.[8]

Investigation

Zane Peterson, a 29-year-old resident of Happy Valley was arrested in December 2013 and charged with 71 counts, including arson and murder. He is accused of starting the two separate fires which merged into the Clover Fire. He is also charged with setting six other wildfires between September and November 2013. The suspect previously worked for seven years (2005-2012) for the U.S. Forest Service as a firefighter and fire engine driver. He has entered a plea of "Not Guilty".[9]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Clover Fire. CALFIRE. 3 September 2016.
  2. Web site: Incident information: Clover Fire. CalFire. 31 January 2014.
  3. News: Former Firefighter Arrested In Deadly Clover Fire. December 18, 2013. Associated Press. CBS Sacramento. 31 January 2014.
  4. News: California wildfire destroys 30 homes, hundreds more threatened. Kearney. Laila. September 10, 2013. Reuters. 31 January 2014.
  5. News: Clover Fire In Shasta County, California Threatens Homes Near Happy Valley. September 10, 2013. Associated Press. Huffington Post. 31 January 2014.
  6. News: Clover fire in Shasta County burns 68 homes, is 100% contained. Bloomekatz. Ari. September 16, 2013. Los Angeles Times. 8 April 2014.
  7. News: Wells . Jason . December 18, 2013 . Former firefighter arrested in deadly Clover fire . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20180322141519/https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-former-firefighter-charged-clover-fire-20131218-story.html . March 22, 2018 . March 18, 2024 . Los Angeles Times.
  8. News: December 20, 2013 . Firefighter accused in fatal arson fire pleads not guilty . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240318173835/https://www.chicoer.com/2013/12/20/firefighter-accused-in-fatal-arson-fire-pleads-not-guilty/ . March 18, 2024 . March 18, 2024 . Chico Enterprise-Record.
  9. News: Clover Fire suspect Zane Peterson enters not-guilty plea. December 18, 2013. Redding Record-Searchlight. 31 January 2014.