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Caldor Fire Witnesses Speak Out for the First Time: Part Two – Amanda’s Story
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… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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Matthews Subject of 2017 Palominas Harassment Investigation, Other Violations
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… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
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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… Read more
Welcome to my Blog (formerly The Jericho Report)
I have a knack for investigations and enjoy writing detailed and revealing reports. Most recently I’ve dug into political scandals in northern Ohio as well as the cause of the Caldor Fire in El Dorado County, California. Occasionally I also write about travel, personal growth, political opinions and, of course, communications consulting. Enjoy.
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