A 2022 wildfire in California that many were quick to blame on so-called climate change has been ruled an act of arson, and a suspect has been arrested. The Oak Fire, which destroyed over 120 homes in Mariposa County, California, in 2022, is being blamed on Edward Fredrick Wackerman, a former firefighter — and a Democratic donor.
Wackerman faces several felony counts, including aggravated arson, arson that causes great bodily injury, and arson causing damage or destruction of inhabited structures. Over 19,000 acres were burned in the East Central California county, which includes a portion of Yosemite National Park.
“Through an extensive investigation Wackerman, a local Mariposa resident, was identified as the suspect responsible for igniting the Oak fire in July 2022,” CAL FIRE officials said.
While a motive for Wackerman’s alleged crime was not disclosed, the district attorney divulged that the accused may also be guilty of setting three other fires in the days just prior to the Oak Fire’s beginning.
Wackerman is currently being held on no-bail detention, with his next court date scheduled for September. If convicted, the 71-year-old could spend the rest of his life in prison.
Many climate alarmists pointed to the Oak Fire as evidence that climate change was beginning to rear its ugly head. Among those pointing to climate change as the cause of wildfires in general, and this one in particular, was former Vice President Al Gore.
“We’re seeing this global emergency play out and it’s getting worse more quickly than was predicted,” Gore said while discussing the fire with ABC. “We have got to step up. This should be a moment for a global epiphany.”
“If we don’t stop using our atmosphere as an open sewer, and if we don’t stop these heat trapping emissions, things are gonna get a lot worse,” he continued. “More people will be killed and the survival of our civilization is at stake.”
And in July 2022, in the midst of the fire, Senator Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said: “Worsening drought and severe weather will only continue to put lives and property at risk from wildfire if we don’t take climate action NOW.”
Certainly California’s Mediterranean climate — mild winters coupled with very dry summers — is at least partially responsible for the magnitude of such fires.
But in this case, the fire was actually set by someone, allegedly Wackerman. The Washington Free Beacon found that the alleged arsonist is also a Democratic donor.
“[Wackerman] has donated $1,775 to Democratic candidates and committees since 2020, government records show, including a $1,000 donation to Tim Ryan’s failed U.S. Senate campaign in 2022 and $400 to the Lincoln Project, a disgraced liberal super PAC,” the site noted.
It’s hardly the first time that people on the political left have been accused of arson relating to wildfires. In September 2021, Caltech graduate and self-proclaimed “Shaman” Alexandra Souverneva was arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the Fawn Fire, which destroyed over 8,500 acres in Shasta County, California. Souverneva’s trial is still going on after mental health evaluations.
And Gary Maynard, a former criminologist who reportedly had a “hatred” of Donald Trump, was indicted for setting a number of fires in Northern California in the same time period. Maynard is suspected of setting the Sweetbriar Fire, which began on July 6; the Bradley Fire, which began on July 11; the Cascade Fire, which began on July 20; the Everitt Fire, which began on July 21; the Moon Fire, which began on August 5; the Conrad Fire, which began on August 7; and the Ranch Fire, which also began on August 7.
“Where Maynard went, fires started. Not just once, but over and over again,” said a court memorandum from the time.
So, it’s clear that many of the most destructive wildfires in America over the past few years did have a human source. But that source was arson — not climate change.
It’s not surprising that climate hysterics have glommed onto wildfires as “proof” that climate change is having “real world effects” right now. The apocalyptic visions of flames licking the sky and the giant smoke clouds hovering over cities are just too good to pass up as a propaganda tool. But it’s just that — propaganda.
