The US Forest Service has officially announced that the cause of the Rim Fire is a hunter's campfire, and that there was no evidence of any illegal marijuana grow operations near the source of the fire. As far as I know, the identity of the individual hasn't been named yet.

Considering how dry much of the West and Southwest has become over the years lately, not only fire starting skills, but also fire safety awareness is more critical than ever.

Yep, when the brush is bone dry starting a fire anywhere near that brush is probably a bad idea. 2003's Cedar Fire had a similar beginning -- poor head-work in both cases.

"cause of the Rim Fire is a hunter's campfire"

not good - i doubt that they had a campfire permit. in many places no open fires, or even charcoal, were allowed at that time.

Pete2

Although the Rim Fire is not totally contained yet, now authorities have to worry about how to deal with the erosion problem as the winter rainy season approaches. That whole area is part of the watershed that supplies San Francisco with its drinking water.