Fire officials say two Redding, Calif., men who were running lawn mowers in tinder-dry conditions will be charged and may be required to pay for the costs of putting out fires that burned several neighbors' cars and sheds.
Mike Birondo, a fire investigator with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said the exact costs of suppressing the blazes are still being determined.
The men's names are not yet being released.
The Vista Fire, which ignited on June 25 behind homes near Poco Vista Lane in Mountain Gate, spread to 40 acres before firefighters and the crew's single bulldozer could cut a line around it several hours later.
With firefighting resources diverted to fight lightning-sparked blazes around the north state, the fire burned several cars and at least three outbuildings and forced the evacuation of dozens of residents.
One resident lost a shed that contained at least $80,000 in equipment, Birondo said.
The other lawn mower-sparked blaze was a 41-acre flare-up called the Mariana Fire off Gas Point Road on July 7. The blaze burned a couple of vehicles and came dangerously close to homes, Birondo said.
"It had a lot of potential," Birondo said, adding that the fire was started in the afternoon when temperatures were 106 degrees, humidity was low, and the wind was pushing 15 mph.
The irony, Birondo said, was the man told investigators he was trying to mow a fire break.
Mowing lawns in dry conditions has proven disastrous in recent years.
On Aug. 11, 2004, the mower-caused Bear Fire in the Jones Valley area blackened 11,000 acres, burned more than 88 dwellings and caused an estimated $16.3 million in damages.
William Matthew Rupp of Jones Valley was sentenced in 2006 to four years in prison for starting the blaze.
Birondo urged caution for mowers. He said it's best to mow before 10 a.m. If the wind's blowing or the humidity is low, don't mow at all, he said.