A man whose family’s gender reveal photography shoot ignited a 2020 wildfire in California has pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter. The incident killed 39-year-old fireman Charles Morton.
The fire started on September 5, 2020 when Refugio Jimenez Jr. and his family set off a pyrotechnic, smoke-generating device for their gender reveal photo shoot at El Dorado Ranch Park. The device quickly sparked near dry grass.
“They have been praying for Mr. Morton and his family every night since his death,” Mike Scafiddi, Jimenez’s lawyer, told the Associated Press on Sunday. “It has touched them profoundly.”
The El Dorado Fire burned over 36 square miles, destroyed 5 homes, and forced hundreds to evacuate before containment more than two months later.
On Friday, San Bernardino County prosecutors announced Jimenez’s guilty plea to one count of involuntary manslaughter and two counts of recklessly starting a fire. He will serve one year in jail plus two years’ probation and 200 hours community service. His wife Angelina pleaded guilty to three recklessness charges.
“Resolving the case was never going to be a win,” District Attorney Jason Anderson said in a press release. “To the victims who lost so much, including their homes with valuables and memories, we understand those are intangibles can never be replaced.”
The couple also faces a lawsuit from the U.S. Forest Service alleging the pyrotechnic “Smoke Bombs” used were known to be illegal and defective in California. “It was unforeseeable in all minds,” Jimenez’s lawyer told the AP. He said his client researched the device and found no issues beforehand.
Scafiddi also disputed accounts that the Jimenezes hosted a large gender reveal party that day. He said the family only invited a few relatives. “This was simply taking photographs in what was a beautiful backdrop,” he said.
The devastating El Dorado Fire was one of thousands during California’s record 2020 wildfire season, which charred over 4% of the state and killed 33 people.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.