King fire arsonist who took selfie video pleads guilty

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Firefighters mop up hot spots in an area burned by the King fire on Sept. 19 near Pollock Pines, Calif. The King fire is threatening more than 12,000 homes in the forested area about an hour east of Sacramento. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

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Wayne Allen Huntsman, right, appears in El Dorado County Superior Court with Public Defender William Dittman on charges related to the King fire. Huntsman pleaded not guilty to an arson charge. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

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A burned-out truck sits in front of a structure that was destroyed by the King fire on Sept. 19 near Pollock Pines, Calif. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

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Herve Leconte sits atop his vehicle alongside Highway 50 near Camino, Calif., on Sept. 18, displaying a sign thanking all those who are dealing with the King fire. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

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A crew burns away dry brush along U.S. Highay 50 near Pollock Pines, Calif. (Alvin Jornada / EPA)

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Smoke billows from a canyon next to U.S. Highway 50, where firefighters were creating a fire break. (Alvin Jornada / EPA)

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A weary firefighter stares into the flames during a 24-hour shift near Pollock Pines, Calif. (Alvin Jornada / EPA)

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Firefighters monitor the King fire as it burns through brush in Fresh Pond, Calif. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

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A firefighter monitors a backfire as he battles the King fire in Fresh Pond, Calif. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

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Firefighters use drip torches to set a controlled burn to create a safe zone around homes close to the King fire near Pollock Pines, Calif. (Alvin Jornada / EPA)

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A firefighting helicopter collects water from a reservoir to fight the King fire in Pollock Pines, Calif. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

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Firefighters set a controlled burn to rob fuel from the King fire near Pollock Pines, Calif. (Alvin Jornada / EPA)

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A firefighter monitors the King Fire as it burns through brush. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

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Flames from the King fire consume trees in Fresh Pond, Calif. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

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A firefighter monitors the King fire. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

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Angela Warden, left, and her daughter Brianna hang signs on a tree thanking firefighters for battling the King fire. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

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A firefighter is shrouded in smoke as he battles the King fire near Fresh Pond, Calif., on Wednesday. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

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Smoke rises from trees burned by the King fire on Wednesday in Pollock Pines, Calif. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

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Firefighters monitor the King fire on Wednesday in Pollock Pines, Calif. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

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An air tanker drops fire retardant on a hillside ahead of the King fire Wednesday in Pollock Pines, Calif. (Justin Sullivan / Getty Images)

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Firefighters battle flames from the King fire near Fresh Pond, Calif., on Wednesday. The blaze that started Sunday has consumed more than 18,000 acres and is only 5% contained. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

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Smoke and flames loom up over the King Fire in the Eldorado National Forest. (Brendan Rice / AP)

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Firefighter Jesse Hadorowski climbs up steep terrain while battling the King fire near Pollock Pines, Calif.. on Sept. 15. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

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Smoke from the King fire rises into the sky near Pollock Pines, Calif., on Sept. 15. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

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Firefighters hose down hot spots of the King fire near Pollock Pines, Calif., on Sept. 15. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

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An aerial tanker drops fire retardant on the King fire near Pollock Pines, Calif., on Sept. 15. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

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A helicopter refills its tanks with water to battle the King fire near Pollock Pines, Calif., on Sept. 15. (Rich Pedroncelli / Associated Press)

By Ruben VivesStaff Writer

April 8, 2016 4:40 PM PT

A man accused of setting the massive and devastating King fire that burned for more than a month in the Sierra Nevada pleaded guilty and was sentenced to 20 years in prison Friday, authorities said.

El Dorado County Dist. Atty. Vern Person said Wayne Allen Huntsman pleaded guilty to three counts of arson to forest land, admitted culpability for causing injury to firefighters and destruction of multiple structures.

Besides the prison sentence, he was also ordered to pay over $60 million in victim restitution.

The fast-moving fire started Sept. 13, 2014, in Pollock Pines and spread overnight, burning through the El Dorado National Forest and forcing thousands to flee their homes. The fire destroyed 12 homes and 68 structures and burned more than 97,000 acres over a span of more than 27 days.

Huntsman, who recorded a “selfie” video of himself shortly after setting the fire, was arrested on Sept. 17. A former inmate firefighter, Huntsman has, according to court documents, four prior felonies -- assault with a deadly weapon, grand theft, auto theft and receiving stolen property.

Resident Ralf Lorenz told the Los Angeles Times that Huntsman broke into his home near the ignition point to report the blaze to 911.

Lorenz said he wasn’t home during the time, but he later arrived to find law enforcement and fire officials parked on his lawn.

El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Daniel Proud sentenced Huntsman to 20 years in prison, the maximum allowable for the three counts alleged in the grand jury indictment.

Twitter: @latvives

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