NewsCalifornia News

Actions

Father, son arrested in wildfire that threatened Lake Tahoe

California-Tahoe Wildfire Arrests
Posted

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A father and son have been arrested on suspicion of starting a massive California wildfire that forced tens of thousands to flee the Lake Tahoe area earlier this year.

The El Dorado County District Attorney’s office said Wednesday that David Scott Smith and his son Travis Shane Smith are accused of reckless arson in a warrant issued before formal charges are filed. Mark Reichel is the attorney for both men and says reckless arson includes starting a blaze by accident but “to such a degree that it was considered reckless.”

The fire burned more than 300 square miles to the Nevada border. It threatened ski resorts and other recreational areas.

Bakersfield, CA

Weather

Daily Forecast

View Hourly Forecast

Day

Conditions

HI / LO

Precip

SaturdaySat

10/24/2026

Clear

-° / 55°

4%

SundaySun

10/25/2026

Partly Cloudy

80° / 56°

1%

MondayMon

10/26/2026

Clear

76° / 51°

4%

TuesdayTue

10/27/2026

Partly Cloudy

72° / 50°

4%

WednesdayWed

10/28/2026

Cloudy

71° / 53°

2%

ThursdayThu

10/29/2026

Partly Cloudy

71° / 51°

8%

FridayFri

10/30/2026

Partly Cloudy

66° / 49°

10%

SaturdaySat

10/31/2026

Partly Cloudy

65° / 47°

20%