Politics & Government

Eagle Fire Area in Flash Flood Watch; Court Proceedings Continue for the Accused

Attorneys for two men accused in the Warner Springs area fire are back in court for a readiness conference Tuesday, as residents prepare for a flash flood watch in the massive area scorched.

A readiness conference is set today in the Vista branch of the Superior Court for two men who allegedly started a 22-square-mile brush fire east of Warner Springs in July. 

Jesse Durbin and Jeremy Ortiz have pleaded not guilty to charges of aggravated arson and arson on forest land in the Eagle Fire, which began on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation. The men lived on the reservation.

, a company which hosted military and government agencies for training under a lease with the Los Coyotes Indian Tribe. Ortiz had formerly worked for the training center, according to a company news release. The fire is thought to have begun in or near a guard shack where he worked (shown in photo).

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If the case proceeds to trial, the two 23-year-old men face a maximum sentence of 10 years to life in prison if convicted.

Tuesday's court proceeding is the second part of the readiness conference. A readiness conference is when attorneys appear before the judge and there is an opportunity to negotiate a plea bargain. The accused are not expected to be present.

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Meanwhile, the area burned by the Eagle Fire is under flash flood watch Monday; thunderstorms are expected.

City News Service contributed to this report.


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