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
Caldor
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)
Matthews’ Associates Recall Years of Deadly Cancer Diagnoses
On February 2nd, 2022 the Pioneer Fire District Board of Directors announced that Chief Mark Matthews is "out on medical leave and will not be returning." This is the second time in his career Matthews left his position citing health issues, a topic he speaks of often. In October 2017 Matthews resigned as the fire … Continue reading Matthews’ Associates Recall Years of Deadly Cancer Diagnoses
First Report of Caldori Fire: Travis Shane Smith’s 911 Call
EDIT: A portion of the 911 call has been edited to redact personal information. At approximately 6:49 p.m. on August 14 2021, Travis Shane Smith calls 911 to report seeing a wildfire. He is connected to California Highway Patrol. As CHP connects Smith with fire service dispatch at Camino the recording begins. You can listen … Continue reading First Report of Caldori Fire: Travis Shane Smith’s 911 Call
The Caldor Fire and the Impact of Forest Management – Part Two: Models Predicted Extreme Fire Behavior for El Dorado County
This article is Part Two of my series examining how forest management in previous years impacted the earliest days of the Caldor Fire. Part Two explores forest services modeling which accurately predicted extreme fire behavior across the Grizzly Flats region. It's December 2014 and the Eldorado National Forest (ENF) service is working to select a … Continue reading The Caldor Fire and the Impact of Forest Management – Part Two: Models Predicted Extreme Fire Behavior for El Dorado County
Camp Staff Prepared for Caldor Fire with ‘Unhinged’ Chief Matthews, Absent Forest Service
It's August 14, 2021. At Leoni Meadows Camp and Retreat Center visitors are well into their evening activities. Eric Henton, an employee of the camp, is supervising the children when his radio crackles to life. "We have E-Alert but we are out of service out there so we keep the radios on. When it came … Continue reading Camp Staff Prepared for Caldor Fire with ‘Unhinged’ Chief Matthews, Absent Forest Service
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