The couple accused of starting California's deadly El Dorado Fire with a gender reveal firework is trying to shed all of their charges.
On Friday, their attorney said he will file a motion to dismiss all charges, including arson and involuntary manslaughter, before the case ever goes to trial. The motion will be heard in early February. The fire started in September of 2020, during a gender reveal photoshoot at El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa. Twelve days later, nearly 23,000 acres of land were burned, five homes were destroyed, four were damaged, and a U.S. Forest Service firefighter died after being overcome by flames. They were indicted by a grand jury and charged with one felony count of involuntary manslaughter, three felony counts of recklessly causing a fire with great bodily injury, four felony counts of recklessly causing a fire to inhabited structures and 22 misdemeanor counts of recklessly causing a fire to property of another. They have pleaded not guilty and are not in custody.
Charles Morton, 39, a U.S. Forest Service hotshot crew boss,died fighting the fire in the San Gorgonio Wilderness on Sept. 17 when flames burned over him. The fire burned 22,680 acres, destroyed five homes and damaged four others.
Residents of Mountain Home Village, Forest Falls, Angelus Oaks, Seven Oaks and Barton Flats were evacuated. The fire also burned in Cherry Valley in Riverside County.