Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

16 hours ago

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

16 hours ago

Leaders, Journalist Groups React to Israeli Gaza Strike That Killed Five Journalists

20 hours ago

Trump To Sign Executive Order Directing AG To Prosecute Flag Desecration

22 hours ago

Trump Signs Orders Aimed At Ending Cashless Bail Policies

22 hours ago

Fresno County DUI Crash Sends Car Into Embankment Near Highway 99

1 day ago

Wrongly Deported Migrant Abrego Again Detained by US Immigration Officials

1 day ago

Fresno County Wildfire Burns 3,338 Acres, Evacuation Orders Issued

1 day ago
Firefighter Dies Battling Wildfire Sparked by Gender Reveal
gvw_ap_news
By Associated Press
Published 5 years ago on
September 18, 2020

Share

SAN BERNARDINO — A firefighter died battling a wildfire in California that officials said was sparked by a device used to reveal a baby’s gender.

The death happened Thursday in the San Bernardino National Forest as crews battled the El Dorado Fire, the U.S. Forest Service said in a statement.

The fire erupted earlier this month from a smoke-generating pyrotechnic device used by a couple to reveal their baby’s gender, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said.

The name of the firefighter was being withheld until family members are notified. The cause of the death was under investigation.

“Our deepest sympathies are with the family, friends and fellow firefighters during this time,” Forest Service spokesperson Zach Behrens said in the statement.

No other information was released about the firefighter, the agency the firefighter worked for or the circumstances of the firefighter’s death. Behrens said in a telephone interview he could not comment beyond details in the statement.

California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, or Cal Fire, said earlier this month that the fire was ignited Sept. 5 when a couple, their young children and someone there to record video staged the baby gender reveal at El Dorado Ranch Park at the foot of the San Bernardino Mountains.

A hand crew works a fire break as they establish a hose line along a ridge during the El Dorado Fire along Highway 38 west of Forest Falls, Calif., Thursday afternoon, Sept. 10, 2020, as a hand crew establishes a hose line along a ridge. The fire was started by a device at a gender reveal party Sat., Sept. 5. (Will Lester/The Orange County Register/SCNG via AP)

Authorities Have Not Released the Identities of the Couple, Who Could Face Criminal Charges

The device was set off in a field and quickly ignited dry grass. The couple frantically tried to use bottled water to extinguish the flames and called 911.

Authorities have not released the identities of the couple, who could face criminal charges and be held liable for the cost of fighting the fire.

Shortly after the fire began, San Bernardino County District Attorney Jason Anderson issued a statement saying he was aware of the community’s concerns about how the fire started.

“If investigative reports are filed with our office, we will review all facts, evidence, statements, and reports to determine what criminal charges, if any, need to be filed,” Anderson said.

The wildfire has burned nearly 30 square miles and was about 66% contained, according to Cal Fire. The fire has destroyed 10 buildings and damaged six others.

More than 17,000 firefighters are battling more than two dozen major wildfires in California. The blazes are blamed for at least 25 deaths.

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

NW Fresno’s Newest Wine Lounge a ‘Quiet Alternative’ for Date Night

DON'T MISS

Renewal of CA Cap and Trade Program to Cut Emissions Fraught With Issues

DON'T MISS

UN Inquiry on Israeli Violence Hampered by Funding Shortfall, Document Shows

DON'T MISS

Trump Administration Cannot Sue Maryland Federal Judges Over Immigration Order, Judge Rules

DON'T MISS

US Threatens to Withhold Funding From States Over Truck Driver English Proficiency Rules

DON'T MISS

Why Did Board Fail to Stop Deficits From Nearly Sinking Fresno EOC?

DON'T MISS

Trump Takes His Fed Fight to Unprecedented Level With Effort to Fire Cook

DON'T MISS

Visalia DUI Crash Sends Truck Into Carl’s Jr., Driver Arrested

DON'T MISS

Trump Media, Crypto.com Announce Deal to Form Crypto Treasury Firm

DON'T MISS

New Fresno EOC Chief: ‘We Have to Eliminate Bleeding Programs’

UP NEXT

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

UP NEXT

California Republicans Sue to Block Congressional Redistricting Plan

UP NEXT

SF Has Avoided Trump’s Ire Until Now. Will He Send National Guard?

UP NEXT

CA Bill To Give Interest On Insurance Payments To Homeowners

UP NEXT

Trump To Sign Executive Order Directing AG To Prosecute Flag Desecration

UP NEXT

Trump Signs Orders Aimed At Ending Cashless Bail Policies

UP NEXT

Judge Blocks Trump From Withholding Funds From Los Angeles, Other Sanctuary Cities

UP NEXT

California Cities Lack Unified Response On Homeless Encampments

UP NEXT

California Voters Still Support High-Speed Rail, Even If It Never Gets Done

UP NEXT

Pew: US Immigrant Population Declines for First Time in Nearly 60 Years

Trump Administration Cannot Sue Maryland Federal Judges Over Immigration Order, Judge Rules

20 minutes ago

US Threatens to Withhold Funding From States Over Truck Driver English Proficiency Rules

22 minutes ago

Why Did Board Fail to Stop Deficits From Nearly Sinking Fresno EOC?

23 minutes ago

Trump Takes His Fed Fight to Unprecedented Level With Effort to Fire Cook

24 minutes ago

Visalia DUI Crash Sends Truck Into Carl’s Jr., Driver Arrested

28 minutes ago

Trump Media, Crypto.com Announce Deal to Form Crypto Treasury Firm

32 minutes ago

New Fresno EOC Chief: ‘We Have to Eliminate Bleeding Programs’

12 hours ago

Fresno County Sheriff’s Deputy Arrested in Domestic Violence Case

12 hours ago

Fresno County Crash With Semi-Truck Leaves Man Dead

15 hours ago

Fox Channels May Go Dark on YouTube TV From Wednesday Over Payment Dispute

16 hours ago

NW Fresno’s Newest Wine Lounge a ‘Quiet Alternative’ for Date Night

Alex Vardanyan, owner of Eden — northwest Fresno’s newest wine lounge — says he’s long wanted a quiet spot where people can get ...

7 minutes ago

Eden Wine Lounge
7 minutes ago

NW Fresno’s Newest Wine Lounge a ‘Quiet Alternative’ for Date Night

Chevron Refinery in Richmond, California
7 minutes ago

Renewal of CA Cap and Trade Program to Cut Emissions Fraught With Issues

Israeli soldiers sit on top of tanks at the Israel-Gaza border, as seen from Israel, August 26, 2025. (Reuters/Amir Cohen)
14 minutes ago

UN Inquiry on Israeli Violence Hampered by Funding Shortfall, Document Shows

U.S. flag and Judge gavel are seen in this illustration taken, August 6, 2024. (Reuters File)
20 minutes ago

Trump Administration Cannot Sue Maryland Federal Judges Over Immigration Order, Judge Rules

A drone view shows semi-trucks in San Diego, California, U.S., July 15, 2025. (Reuters File)
22 minutes ago

US Threatens to Withhold Funding From States Over Truck Driver English Proficiency Rules

Fresno Economic Opportunities Commission ignored red flags about overspending
23 minutes ago

Why Did Board Fail to Stop Deficits From Nearly Sinking Fresno EOC?

Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook attends the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City's 2025 Jackson Hole economic symposium, "Labor Markets in Transition: Demographics, Productivity, and Macroeconomic Policy" in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, U.S., August 23, 2025. (Reuters File)
24 minutes ago

Trump Takes His Fed Fight to Unprecedented Level With Effort to Fire Cook

Visalia police arrested Brandon Smith, 30, on Monday night after they say he ran a red light, crashed into a minivan and then slammed his truck into a Carl’s Jr., though no injuries were reported. (Visalia PD)
28 minutes ago

Visalia DUI Crash Sends Truck Into Carl’s Jr., Driver Arrested

Search

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Send this to a friend