Man convicted for 2022 Northern California wildfire

A man has been found guilty of starting a wildfire in Northern California in 2022. The fire, known as the Electra Fire, caused significant damage and forced evacuations in Amador and Calaveras counties. Officials announced the conviction on Friday. Danny Killion, 39, was convicted of arson and three counts of child endangerment. He started the fire while his children were in the vehicle with him. The Electra Fire ignited on July 4, 2022, near Electra Road and Highway 49, southeast of Jackson. It burned approximately 4,470 acres before it was fully contained. The fire threatened over a thousand structures, including homes, but firefighters successfully protected them from destruction. One firefighter sustained injuries during the incident. Killion was arrested in August 2024 while he was homeless, and he remains in custody. Cal Fire officials highlighted the conviction as an important step in fighting wildfire-related crimes. Killion's sentencing is expected to happen in about a month. During the fire's peak, Cal Fire used aircraft at night for the first time to control its spread effectively.