Arrest Made In the Big Creek Fire

Groveland, CA – A Groveland woman has been arrested in connection to starting the 204-acre Big Creek Fire.

CAL Fire, in partnership with the US Forest Service, report 43-year-old Lisa Ann Vilmur of the Groveland area was arrested for starting the fire. Cal Fire spokesperson Nancy Longmore says, “The cause was determined to be an escaped debris fire. Our officers identified a suspect and at 6 p.m. yesterday, July 30th they made an arrest in connection with the start of that fire.”

The exact location of where Vilmur was burning has not been released, but Longmore says it was near Big Creek Shaft Road.  There is no word on exactly what type of debris was being burned.  Vilmur was booked into Tuolumne County Jail for one count of recklessly causing a fire. Her bail is set at $100,000.  Forest Service officials remind residents that restrictions on debris burning have been in effect since June 1.

Currently, the fire’s acreage is holding at 204 and the containment remains at 35 percent. The fire started Wednesday at around 4:30 p.m. within the Groveland Ranger District, along the Highway 120 corridor, near Buck Meadows.  Voluntary evacuations were put in place for the Hell’s Hollow Road area, but residents were allowed to return to their homes Thursday night.