3 Juveniles Charged With Igniting Destructive 600-Acre Hawarden Fire
RIVERSIDE, CA — When the Hawarden Fire broke out July 21 in the Hawarden Hills neighborhood of Riverside, it was a hot, windy day, Riverside Fire Chief Michael Moore recounted Thursday afternoon during a news conference.
He told reporters the temperature was over 100 degrees with wind gusts up to 27 mph.
It wasn’t a good day to ignite illegal fireworks anywhere in Southern California, much less in a city that bans all pyrotechnics.
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But that, according to police, is what happened.
Following a weeks-long investigation, two 16-year-old local boys were arrested Thursday afternoon and charged with 27 felony counts of willful and malicious fire-setting in connection with the 600-acre Hawarden Fire. A third 16-year-old boy, who lives in Northern California, was charged with the same crimes out of county, according to Riverside Police Chief Larry Gonzalez.
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When the Hawarden Fire broke out shortly after 1 p.m. that July day, an arson investigation was launched almost immediately, Gonzalez said.
Investigators quickly determined the blaze was caused by illegal fireworks. Gonzalez said the types of fireworks set off were likely illegal even in cities that sell “safe and sane” pyrotechnics.
The incident was caught on video surveillance that was obtained by investigators. The footage showed three suspects fleeing the scene in a silver pickup truck, according to Riverside Police Department spokesperson Ryan Railsback.
That truck was later spotted in a Riverside neighborhood, and that led investigators to the juveniles. Search warrants were obtained, and now the boys face serious charges.
The teens’ identities were not released due to their age.
The Hawarden Fire was costly in both monetary and emotional terms. Eighteen structures were damaged, including seven homes that were destroyed. Eight vehicles were also lost, according to Moore.
Damage costs are estimated at $28 million; estimated firefighting costs are $1.5 million, Moore said.
Two people, including a firefighter, were injured in the blaze that was fully contained on July 29.
The Hawarden Hills neighborhood features single-family homes on mid-sized and estate lots, with a small number of planned residential developments. The hilly community has winding streets and panoramic views. According to the 2000 Census, Hawarden Hills has the second-highest average property values and income levels in the city of Riverside.
Though the fire was doused weeks ago, city police continue to patrol the burn areas, Gonzalez said. Winter rains will likely affect the community differently this year.
Riverside Mayor Patricia Lock Dawson was on hand for Thursday’s news conference.
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While not all Hawarden residents suffered losses, Dawson said the fire deeply affected the community.
The blaze, she said, “caused immeasurable fear among residents who were rightly afraid for their safety.”
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