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Cause of devastating Ranch Fire revealed

Cal Fire: Fire Caused by Spark, Hot Metal Fragment

Posted: 8:57 AM, Jun 07, 2019

Updated: 2019-06-07 16:50:59Z

By: 23ABC News Staff

Matthew Simmons

AGOURA HILLS , CA - NOVEMBER 09: Firefighters from various departments work to protect structures as the Woolsey Fire moves through the property on Cornell Road near Paramount Ranch on November 9, 2018 in Agoura Hills, California. About 75,000 homes have been evacuated in Los Angeles and Ventura counties due to two fires in the region. (Photo by Matthew Simmons/Getty Images)

It appears we now know the cause of the largest wildfire in California history.

The Ranch Fire burned through Mendocino, Lake, Colusa, and Glenn counties in the summer of 2018. The blaze left one firefighter dead, destroyed 280 structures and burned more than 410,000 acres.

Now, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says it believes the Ranch Fire was caused by a spark or hot metal fragment from a hammer driving a metal stake into the ground. Cal Fire says no charges have been filed in connection to the fire.