Charges Sought Against Youths in Wildfires

Authorities said Wednesday that they plan to ask prosecutors to file criminal charges against juveniles responsible for fire damage related to illegal fireworks and demand that their parents pay the cost of fighting the blazes.

Although physical damage from the holiday fires was minimal, Anaheim and Orange County officials said they are pursuing the prosecutions as a deterrent to juveniles who illegally use fireworks.

The Orange County Fire Authority’s investigation of Tuesday’s brush fire in Coto de Caza will be forwarded to the district attorney today with a recommendation that the youths held in connection with setting the blaze--ages 13, 14 and 16--be prosecuted on felony counts of unlawfully and recklessly causing the fire, spokesman Scott Brown said.

The youths are charged with igniting a brush fire, which burned about three acres. According to Brown, the boys were setting off illegal bottle rockets in a dry field.

Brown said the boys’ parents will be billed for the cost of fighting the Coto de Caza fire. Brown said the department used a helicopter, seven engine companies, a bulldozer, a paramedic unit and other support personnel to quell the fire in about 30 minutes.

“We’re still tabulating the cost, but the parents are ultimately responsible for the careless acts of their children,” Brown said.

In Anaheim, officials attributed four fires to illegal fireworks, three of which were set by juveniles, said spokeswoman Robyn Butler. Investigators have confessions or suspects in each case, she said.