The criminal case against a Folsom man and his father who have been accused of igniting the devastating Caldor Fire in 2021 has been postponed.
Travis Shane Smith of Folsom and his father, David Scott Smith of Somerset appeared in an El Dorado County courtroom last week, as a judge now postponed their pre-trial proceedings to Oct. 10 and 11. The change is reportedly due to a change in the prosecution team of the case.
As previously reported, the father and son face felony reckless arson charges as well as firearms charges in El Dorado County. Shane Smith is also facing charges related to possession of a machine gun.
Both men have both plead not guilty to the charges. Both men remain free on bond awaiting trial. Back in December of 2021, the initial bail had been set at $1 million each but were lowered to $25,000 for David and $50,000 for Travis in late December 2021.
The Caldor Fire began near the community of Grizzly Flats back on Aug. 14, 2021.
It burned some 1,000 buildings, destroying much of Grizzly Flats. In the following weeks, it spread uphill. Growing to almost 350 square miles. At least three people suffered great bodily injury, a according to the charges.
Two weeks after it began, the fire made an aggressive push from Echo Summit across Christmas Valley and nearly reached the Nevada state line, forcing thousands of residents to evacuation for days and even weeks during its destructive run across multiple counties.
Prosecutors have been tight lipped as to how exactly they believe the suspects sparked the fire.
According to court documents released by the district attorney at the time of their arrest, the charges allege that the pair “unlawfully and recklessly set fire to and burn and cause to be burned a structure, forest land, or personal property and did cause great bodily injury.”
Further details on the charges and accusations are expected to be presented during the initial October hearing that will take place in an El Dorado County courthouse.
