Van Brunt Out On Bail
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The woman accused of starting the more than 92,000-acre wildfire that threatened some of the world´s largest and oldest trees has been released on bail.
Peri Dare Van Brunt´s father posted her $35,000 bond today.
US District Court Magistrate Judge Dennis Beck approved a recommendation by the court that she be released on the condition she attend a drug-treatment program.
Van Brunt has been charged with lighting a campfire without a permit. She denies the charge. The Bakersfield woman has a history of drug convictions. According to court documents she told authorities she had been smoking methamphetamine the night before the fire in the Sequoia National Forest.
A preliminary hearing has been set for August 23rd.
