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C ALI FORN IA’S OLDE ST NE W SPAPER
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VOLUME 173 • ISSUE 49 | $1.00
mtdemocrat.com
MONDAY, APRIL 29, 2024
All charges dropped against Caldor suspect Odin Rasco Staff writer
The remainder of the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office case against a Folsom man once suspected of starting the Caldor Fire was dropped after a court hearing April 22. Travis Shane Smith, 32, was arrested along with his father, David Scott Smith, 66, in December 2021 following an investigation into the origin of the devastating 2021 wildfire. GPS and phone data acquired during the investigation placed the pair near the area
of origin for the wildfire and witness testimony claimed they had been seen driving nearby on an off-road vehicle prior to hearing gunshots a short time afterward. Minutes after the gunshots, the Smiths were said to have come back the way they came, stopping to alert nearby campers of a fire and make a call to emergency services. Wildfire investigators concluded the fire likely started as a result of an ignition brought about by smoldering bullets coming into contact with drought-stricken vegetation. Investigators
would later search Shane and David’s houses and discover items they claimed were machine gun parts and housings for a silencer, adding gun charges to the case against them. In early January, El Dorado County Superior Court Judge Vicki Ashworth ruled the DA’s case for arson charges lacked sufficient evidence to continue to trial; the gun charges, however, were not dropped at that time. Approving a request to have the remaining charges dropped, a visit■ See CALDOR, page A6
Mountain Democrat file photo by Odin Rasco
Attorney Mark Reichel, left, followed by his client Travis Smith, who was accused of causing the Caldor Fire, are pictured in January after the court found insufficient evidence to take the case against Smith to trial.
Mountain Democrat file photo
The Fire Annexation Ad Hoc Committee plans to look at the numbers and determine if keeping Cameron Park’s Fire Station 88 open is financially feasible.
Mountain Democrat photo by Noel Stack
Excited children help cut the ribbon, officially opening Saratoga Park in El Dorado Hills. The park is located at the corner of Saratoga Way and Wilson Boulevard.
Saratoga Park open for fun Noel Stack Managing editor
PLACE ADDRESS LABEL HERE
Children’s laughter and sizzling hotdogs
marked the grand opening of Saratoga Park in El Dorado Hills April 17. “We’re pretty darn excited and so is the community,” El Dorado Hills Community Services District General Manager Mark Hornstra said. “It’s a great park.” Saratoga Park covers 2.1 acres at the corner
of Saratoga Way and Wilson Boulevard. Elliott Homes, developer of Saratoga Estates, funded the approximately $2.5 million park, which was constructed by Olympic Land Construction. This is the EDHCSD’s 29th park in the community, Hornstra noted. The park features
three main play areas — a 2- to 5-year-old playground, 5- to 12-year-old playground with inclusive play elements and an adventure play area between the two playgrounds. Other amenities include three shade structures over picnic tables and two benches, sprawling lawn ■ See PARK, page A5
Fire station’s future up for discussion News release As leadership within the Cameron Park Community Service District prepares the 2024-25 fiscal year budget, they’re also preparing once again to discuss the future of fire service and possibly closing Fire Station 88. “We are anticipating completion of the Triton Report on fire services later this month,” CPCSD
General Manager Alan Gardner notes in his staff report released as part of the April 17 CPCSD Board of Directors meeting agenda. “Staff and the ad hoc committee recognize that the process has been longer than intended and have been diligent in trying to keep the report on schedule through our consultant and calls ■ See FIRE STATION, page A6
Planning to burn? You’ll need a permit May 1 Mountain Democrat staff El Dorado County residents planning a burn this spring will need to obtain a permit beginning May 1, according to a Cal Fire news release. With fire season on its way, many property owners are working to clean up their yards and remove excess vegetation. All those clippings can be chipped, delivered to El Dorado Disposal or, so long as it’s done using safe methods, sent up in smoke. Get a burn permit online at burnpermit.fire.ca.gov; there is no cost, however applicants must watch an educational
video. Cal Fire officials note “the process provides the necessary information needed to conduct the burn safely, while minimizing the chance for fire escape. Permits must be in possession either by printed copy or digitally.” Permits require annual renewal. They allow for the burning of dry landscape vegetation, not household trash. Guidelines to minimize fire danger are listed on the permit; Cal Fire officials remind all burn permitees these guidelines must be followed at all times. The use of a burn barrel is illegal in El Dorado County.
For burn permit questions call Cal Fire AEU headquarters at (530) 644-2345. Before beginning a debris burn, property owners will need to contact their local Air Quality Management District office to determine what permit requirements or burning restrictions are in effect for their area; on days where conditions do not allow for safe burning, burns may not be allowed at all. The El Dorado County AQMD can be reached at (530) 621-5897. Safe burning requirements: • Keep a minimum 10-foot clearance down to bare mineral soil around all burn piles
• Ensure landscape burn piles are no larger than 4 feet in diameter • Have shovel and a water source available • Have an adult present during burning. Cal Fire officials warn failure to follow these simple precautions may result in a citation and fines. Find tips and information on residential landscape debris burning safety at readyforwildfire.org/permits/burn-permitinformation. For alternatives to debris burning contact the El Dorado County Fire Safe Council at edcfiresafe.org.