DA May Charge Boy Who Started LA Wildfire

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. -- He might not have meant to do it. But it's up to a prosecutor to decide whether to take up the case of a boy accused of sparking a massive Southern California wildfire while playing with matches.

The boy, whose name and age were not released, was interviewed a day after the Buckweed Fire was sparked Oct. 21, said sheriff's Sgt. Diane Hecht.

"He admitted to playing with matches and accidentally starting the fire," said Hecht said in a statement.

The boy was released to his parents, and the case will be presented to the district attorney's office, Hecht said.

The Buckweed Fire burned 38,356 acres and is 100 percent contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fire damaged 30 structures and 63 structures were destroyed.

Three civilians and one firefighter were injured and the estimated cost of this fire to date is $7.4 million.

The 60-square-mile fire began in an near Agua Dulce. It was among more than a dozen major wildfires that killed 14 people and blackened 809 square miles from Los Angeles to the Mexican border.

Authorities arrested five people for arson during that period, but none have been linked to any of the major blazes.

California Firefighters Want Marines' Help

California firefighters said they want to be able to call on the Marines to help fight any future wildfires.

Confusion over flight rules and the availability of military aircraft left some helicopters grounded early on in last week's deadly blazes.

The California National Guard and the Navy train each year with state firefighters. Officials said the drills pay off when aircraft are called in to fight fires. But the Marines have no comparable agreement.

A Marine spokesman said he can't comment on the possibility of entering into an agreement to train with California firefighters.

The Associated Press reported last week that Marine, Navy and National Guard helicopters were grounded because state personnel required to be on board weren't immediately available.