If the district attorney pursues the case, the person who set off the pyrotechnic device would be the one charged, Milloy told the network. He had been checking on the conference center, and so far it was safe, he said. The family whose gender-reveal party started a massive California wildfire tried to douse the initial flames with water bottles, officials said — as the inferno spread to more than 10,500 acres and was only 16 percent contained by Tuesday afternoon. He said the area hasn’t received any rain, which it usually does in late summer, so the hills are extra dry. As the family drove up the mountain toward the farm, they pointed out the window for their 3-year-old son toward burnt trees and brush, blackened by the Apple fire, which had burned more than 33,000 acres in July and August. The fire began at 10:23 am on September 5, 2020 in the El Dorado Ranch Park in Yucaipa," read Cal Fire's news release. In April 2017, a gender-reveal stunt caused a fire Green Valley, Ariz., which torched nearly 47,000 acres and caused more than $8 million in damage. One of three major wildfires currently burning in California and blamed for the evacuation of some residents of San Bernardino County was apparently sparked by a gender reveal … Do Not Sell My Personal Information, Your California Privacy Rights READ MORE: Video shows moment when gender-reveal bomb sparked $8M Sawmill Fire. Get Essential San Diego, weekday mornings. Highway 38 is closed for 12 miles, starting at Bryant Street in Yucaipa, to the community of Angelus Oaks. At some points, Jeanne Sims said the smoke blocked the sun, giving temporary shade from the scorching heat. The couple could be liable for the cost of fighting the fire and criminally charged with misdemeanor or felony counts. This is not the first time a gender-reveal party has prompted a fire. Video. The fire burned northeast, away from the city. More than 3,000 residences were affected by the fire as of Saturday evening, Cal Fire spokeswoman Cathey Mattingly said. Gender-reveal party culprit in massive California wildfire: officials. The National Weather Service described Sunday as "one of the hottest days since weather records began across much of south-western California". VideoBrothers play tabla to the BBC theme tune, The Countdown: President Ariana and astronauts vote, The three-year-old orphaned by war. VideoICYMI: The puppy born green and other curiosities, 'It's devastating... watching my community burn' Video'It's devastating... watching my community burn', Striking news pictures from around the world, Brothers play tabla to the BBC theme tune. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, blamed a "smoke-generating pyrotechnic device, used during a gender reveal party" for the start of the blaze.