Arson Suspect May Serve 18 Months in Plea Deal
The woman accused of starting a fire that blackened more than 150,000 acres of the Sequoia National Forest last summer would spend 18 months in prison under a plea agreement filed Friday in U.S. District Court.
Peri Dare Van Brunt is scheduled to enter guilty pleas Monday to three federal misdemeanors, each with a maximum sentence of six months.
The so-called McNally fire was the worst in the park’s history. It reportedly began after a campfire started by Van Brunt, who was cooking hot dogs, blew out of control. In addition to 150,696 acres of forest, the six-week blaze destroyed three homes, five commercial properties and six outbuildings.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
