California is ranked as the US state most prone to wildfire, with over two million households at extreme risk at any time. The state has seen some of the most devastating fires in American history. This risk is highest in the states Central and Southern regions, where the brush that surrounds the Los Angeles countryside contains tough, leathery leaves and volatile natural oils that are highly flammable.

Combine this with a Mediterranean climate, dry landscape, drought-resistant vegetation, as well as the hot and strong Santa Ana winds blowing from the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada desert, and you have the perfect recipe for disaster.

Wildfires can spark from a variety of sources—from lightning to power lines—but these accidental causes are only responsible for a very low percentage of fires. The large majority are generated by people. Some result from unattended campfires, erratic burning of debris, or negligently discarded cigarettes. However, many more turn out to be deliberate acts of arson…

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Our episodes deal with serious and often distressing incidents. If you feel at anytime you need support, please contact your local crisis centre. Some suggestions for confidential support for men, women and children:

 

AUSTRALIA:

Lifeline Crisis Support: 13 11 14

Beyond Blue: Depression and anxiety support: 1300 22 46 36

Rape & Domestic Violence Services: 1800 737 732

Men's Line: 1300 78 99 78

Headspace: Youth Mental Health Foundation: see headspace.org.au for your local centre

 

USA:

Distress &  Lifeline: 1800 273 8255

Crisis Text Line: text HOME to 741 741

Domestic Violence Helpline: 1800 799 7233

Victim Connect: support for victims of crime: 855 484 2846

 

UK:

Mind: mental health support: 0300 123 3393

SANE: mental health support: 0300 304 7000

Samaritans support network: 116 123

National Stalking Helpline: 0808 802 0300

 

CANADA:

For a list of Canadian crisis centres: https://thelifelinecanada.ca/help/call/

 

NEW ZEALAND:

Lifeline: 0800 543354

Depression Helpline: 0800 111 757 (Text 4202)

CREDITS

 

NARRATION:

Episode narrated by the Anonymous Host

 

EPISODE:

Episode researched and written by Elsha McGill

Additional editing by Milly Raso

 

MUSIC:

‘Flatline intro’ and ‘Come play with me’ intro and outro www.dl-sounds.com

All other music and audio clean up performed by Mike Migas and Andrew Joslyn 

 

OTHER:

Logo design by Paulina Szymanska

 

 

RESOURCES

 

BOOK:

Fire Lover: A True Story – Joseph Wambaugh

 

VIDEO:

Season 9, Episode 21: Point of Origin – Forensic Files

 

ARTICLES:

Firefighters who start fires: a look at the phenomenon of ‘firefighter arson’ – Edmonton Journal

Ex-Fire Investigator Gets Life Term in Fatal Arson – LA Times

Manuscript Adds Fuel to the Fire in Murder Case – LA Times

Firefighters searched the rubble of a gutted hardware store… – UPI

Ex-Fire Captain Charged in 4 Deaths in 1984 Store Blaze : Arson: Once acclaimed investigator, now serving a 30-year sentence for setting six fires, could face death penalty if convicted of South Pasadena crime – LA Times

Burning Ambition – People

History in flames – Glendale News-Press

Arson: The Scorched-Earth Obsession – Newsweek

Ex-Fire Investigator Gets Life Term in Fatal Arson – LA Times

‘Nobody heard my side of the story’ – Glendale News-Press

Twisted Firestarter – Real Crime

 

DOCUMENTS:

Report on the Firefighter Arson Problem: Context, Considerations, and Best Practices 

Special Report: Firefighter Arson

United States of America, Plaintiff-appellant, v. John Leonard Orr, Defendant-appellee, 977 F.2d 593 (9th Cir. 1992)

United States of America, Plaintiff-appellee, v. John Leonard Orr, Defendant-appellant, 29 F.3d 636 (9th Cir. 1994)

 

OTHER:

California Fire Statistics

 

 

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