Man Charged in Fire Gets New Court Date
The arraignment for a Camarillo man charged with sparking a 3,500-acre wildfire in Santa Barbara County was postponed Friday for the second time at his attorney’s request.
Richard Hanger, who teaches at Thousand Oaks High School, was cited in August with unlawfully causing a fire, a misdemeanor. Hanger turned himself in after realizing the fire in Aliso Canyon began the same day he had been rabbit hunting in the area.
After studying patterns of burnt grass, investigators with the Santa Barbara County Fire Department concluded that a cigarette discarded by Hanger was the likely cause of the blaze.
Aside from a criminal charge, Hanger could be held liable for the cost of fighting the four-day fire that charred the remote backcountry.
Officials with the U.S. Forest Service earlier estimated the tab could be as high as $750,000, but the actual costs have not yet been calculated.
Hanger was represented in the Santa Maria courthouse on Friday by his attorney, John McGregor, who asked that the arraignment be continued. McGregor said he wants more time to discuss the matter with the Santa Barbara County district attorney’s office.
The arraignment is now set for Oct. 16 in Santa Maria.
Meanwhile, Hanger, 50, said he is simply trying to concentrate on his work and family until the matter is settled.
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