Topline:

The Balcom Fire: A tractor operator was clearing brush on private property on Oct. 30, 2024, when he noticed a fire in the engine compartment and immediately called 911. More than 100 firefighters responded to the blaze — named the Balcom Fire — both on the ground and in the air, keeping it to just 1.8 acres. The next day, arson investigators visited the property and took images of the site, including with an infrared camera looking for hotspots. Two points of heat were identified, dug up and put out.

What went wrong: Investigators believe that on Nov. 6, 2024 — after days of cool weather that included fog, mist and even light rain — hot rubber on the burned tractor blew away in strong winds, exposing embers. Those embers then flew more than 200 feet, outside the fire containm

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