Reno-Tahoe area officials are calling the launch of a “demonic” flaming meteorite before a wildfire that started in a remote area on Thursday, May 20th, a hoax.
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The forest service and local officials said a tweet posted by the fire victim’s son threatening to light the forest all ablaze by sharing a photo of a burned meteorite was a hoax.
Many reportedly replied to the tweet, including a message posted from one on his son’s account and an accompanying screenshot of a Nevada county commissioner describing the threat.
“Who really wants to see this fire burn in Yellowstone? Love – Dante,” the post read, as the image shows.
Wildfires in the region have caused significant damage, with more than two-thirds of the state left in 100ft-high grass, trees and shrubs as the hot, dry, windy conditions persist.
The 2,500 acre Tunnel fire has already destroyed 13 homes and dozens of outbuildings, and threatens the regional housing community of Lake Tahoe. The fire is currently 30% contained.
The young man, whose identity has not been released, and his father were arrested on charges of violation of parole, threat to commit arson, and conspiracy, according to the South Lake Tahoe police department.
San Joaquin County fire captain David Schultz declined to comment to the Associated Press on the possible outcome of the investigation but a department spokesman said the hoax investigation was handled by other law enforcement officials, not the fire service.
Officials said that the nearby town of South Lake Tahoe could be threatened by embers from the fire, as well as other conditions currently being explored, including a windy, dry weather pattern expected in the Sierra Nevada, where this week’s wildfires have been centered.
The man’s father, also a local resident, was held on charges of violation of parole and conspiracy, according to Schultz.
Officials have said that smoke from the fire caused the historic Candlewood Lake hotel, which overlooks the valley to the west, to suffer power and water outages. On Monday, the hotel’s owner, Greg’s Inn, posted a photo of the fire, along with the caption: “Our Candlewood Room #marysemillarose #marysesantsithadreamtothewere #truetaletahoe #warningnow.”
South Lake Tahoe city officials said roads close to the fire area were expected to reopen on Wednesday night, after repairs to be made by the Reno-Tahoe Restoration Authority.
The tunnel fire broke out before 11am on Thursday near the south of Highway 50 in South Lake Tahoe, the Reno Gazette-Journal reported.
There was concern that the fire near the Lake Tahoe airport caused the tube-like microchips that make up some cockpit displays to start melting.