Travis Alvarez and Amanda Serum were at their home working on their side-by-side ATV on August 14, 2021. In minutes, Travis would test his repairs by driving down Caldor Road where he would encounter David and Shane Smith. The Smiths, who stand accused of recklessly starting the Caldor Fire, were in the process of calling … Continue reading Caldor Fire Witnesses Speak Out for the First Time: Part Two – Amanda’s Story
Author: kjc
Caldor Fire Witnesses Speak Out for the First Time: Part One – Travis’ Story
Early one evening in mid-August, Travis Alvarez and Amanda Serum were changing the oil in their side-by-side ATV. It was an ordinary day. Warm and breezy. The perfect day to fix up their ride and take it for a spin. They had no idea that, in just minutes, Travis would bear witness to the beginning … Continue reading Caldor Fire Witnesses Speak Out for the First Time: Part One – Travis’ Story
Caldor Fire: Mark Matthews, a 9mm, and the Case Against the Smiths
It was 6:49 pm on August 14, 2021 when Shane Smith called 911 to report a wildland fire off Caldor road near the Dogtown Creek drainage. Within days, Shane and his father, David Smith, would become the focus of investigators' attempts to determine how the fire started. David Smith is 66 years old and has … Continue reading Caldor Fire: Mark Matthews, a 9mm, and the Case Against the Smiths
The Caldor Fire: What We Know
It has been seven months since the Caldor Fire ignited in southern El Dorado County. The Jericho Report has uncovered hundreds of details and published nearly 50 reports on the cause of the fire, the emergency response, and the key players who fought the fire in those early days last August. Soon, we will be … Continue reading The Caldor Fire: What We Know
Report: CalFire Investigators Once Suspicious of Matthews
The Jericho Report has obtained a supplemental investigative report written by Erik Fiedler, a CalFire captain and investigator. The report, written on August 23rd, 2021 reveals Fiedler was concerned about Pioneer Fire Protection District Chief Mark Matthews' possible connection to allegedly-suspicious spot fires on August 15th, one day after the Caldor Fire began. Mathews was … Continue reading Report: CalFire Investigators Once Suspicious of Matthews
Matthews Subject of 2017 Palominas Harassment Investigation, Other Violations
Photo Credit Mark Levy, Herald Review On October 14th, 2017 the Palominas Fire District (PFD) Board of Directors placed then-Chief Mark Matthews on a 30-day disciplinary suspension, according to internal Palominas documents. The suspension followed weeks of investigations into claims that Matthews harassed and threatened district staff. Just days after his suspension, Matthews' retirement due … Continue reading Matthews Subject of 2017 Palominas Harassment Investigation, Other Violations
22,000 Acres of Fuel Reduction Planned, Less than 4,000 Completed: Part Three of The Caldor Fire and the Impact of Forest Management
This article is Part Three of my series examining how forest management in previous years impacted the earliest days of the Caldor Fire. Part Three explores how concerns about the Spotted Owl habitat reduced the scope of the Trestle Project, and how the project was ultimately left unfinished. It's September 11, 2017. Eldorado National Forest … Continue reading 22,000 Acres of Fuel Reduction Planned, Less than 4,000 Completed: Part Three of The Caldor Fire and the Impact of Forest Management
PFPD Board Director Responds to Chief Matthews’ Accusations of Harassment, Raises New Questions (Part Two)
As we previously reported, Pioneer Fire Protection District (PFPD) Chief Mark Matthews has accused Board Director Christina Holum of creating a “hostile work environment, harassment, and violation of state statues,” In a letter dated February 2, 2022 Matthews lays out several charges against Ms. Holum without offering specific examples. The letter was addressed to PFPD … Continue reading PFPD Board Director Responds to Chief Matthews’ Accusations of Harassment, Raises New Questions (Part Two)
Ransdell Withdraws from Pioneer Fire Chief Consideration
As we previously reported, former Diamond Springs Fire Chief Bryan Ransdell was given a conditional offer to become the new Pioneer Fire Protection District chief, pending a background check. Last week sources familiar with Ransdell indicated he was planning on withdrawing his application. In a brief exchange today with The Jericho Report, Ransdell confirmed he … Continue reading Ransdell Withdraws from Pioneer Fire Chief Consideration
Matthews Accuses Pioneer Board Member of Harassment, Creating Hostile Work Environment (Part One)
Pioneer Fire Protection District (PFPD) Chief Mark Matthews is accusing at least one member of the district board of directors of harassment and creating a hostile work environment. Mathews, the current chief of the Pioneer Fire Protection District, was the first firefighter on scene to the Caldor Fire and was the first incident commander on August 14, … Continue reading Matthews Accuses Pioneer Board Member of Harassment, Creating Hostile Work Environment (Part One)
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