Ex-firefighter suspected of igniting devastating fire near Yosemite, could face life term

Prosecutors charged a onetime firefighter Tuesday with aggravated arson and other felonies that carry a potential life sentence for allegedly igniting the devastating Oak fire that destroyed 127 homes near Yosemite National Park.

Edward F. Wackerman, 71, was arrested Friday on suspicion of igniting the massive fire that also burned 66 outbuildings, forced a massive evacuation and consumed 19,244 acres of vegetation.

Mariposa County Dist. Atty. Walter Wall said in the days leading up to the Oak fire that three separate fires were intentionally set in the Carstens Road area. The Oak fire was ignited in dry forest brush in the same area by an arsonist, who was eventually identified as Wackerman, Wall said.

Wall would not address Wackerman’s motive but Mariposa County Sheriff Jeremy Briese acknowledged that Wackerman was once a firefighter; he said he does not know for which agency he worked.

Read more: Los Angeles Times