Wainwright Pleads Guilty In April Cold Springs Fire Incident

Sonora, CA -- Thursday in a 2pm appearance in Tuolumne County Superior Court Mark Wainwright pleaded guilty to allowing his Cold Springs debris burn to escape on Friday, April 18.

That 3:30pm fire completely destroyed a private residence owned by Susan Gast at 29987 Mariposa Drive. In addition a vehicle and a boat on the Gast property were destroyed. Two other homes were damaged. Overall the fire covered approximately 20 acres.

According to the District Attorney´s Office Wainwright received a sentence of three years probation along with a $820 fine. In addition Wainwright is responsible for $423,203.20 in restitution to Gast. He is also responsible for all suppression expenses. That amount has not been released by authorities.

Wainwright originally pleaded not guilty.

Written by Bill Johnson