Marijuana Garden Campfire May Have Caused Moccasin Blaze

Sonora, CA — While there was no definitive proof, CAL FIRE´s Dennis Townsend says there is little doubt that Friday morning´s Moccasin area vegetation fire off Marshes Flat Rd. was caused by an out-of-control campfire in a marijuana garden.

CAL FIRE personnel detained 47 year old Vicente Reyes-Figueroa of Turlock. He was then turned over to Sheriff´s deputies and booked into the County Jail. He is being charged with marijuana cultivation and is on an I.N.S. hold for immigration violation.

Detectives from the Tuolumne Narcotics team eradicated approximately 1,000 small marijuana plants.

Townsend added that it is not at all uncommon to discover that marijuana grow campfires are the cause of fires in isolated areas.

The fire covered approximately 25 acres. No injuries or structure damage was reported.

Written by Bill Johnson