Fire Scares: Caretaker Faces Scrutiny After Unsafe Burns

DOWNIEVILLE — After fire engines left the station on the afternoon of Wednesday, May 8th, 2024, nearby locals quickly aired their concern and utter disbelief; response was again needed at Sierra Streamside Resort, commonly referred to as Camp Yuba. Caretaker Mr. Dae Han is at the center of public scrutiny for his role in two problematic burns at Sierra Streamside Resort, located five miles north of Downieville.

The first incident at Sierra Streamside Resort on March 20th, 2024, was on public land managed by the Forest Service and was the first wildland fire of the year for Sierra County. Flames covered approximately two to three acres, burning up brush, a few trees, and a power pole. Downieville and Sierra City Fire Departments, the U.S. Forest Service, and the Sierra County Sheriff’s Office responded. The Sheriff’s office issued a press release later that day with pictures and video footage of the devastation on their social media page.

Investigators found that Mr. Han had placed ashes from a wood stove around a tree, unknowingly igniting the blaze. The Forest Service deemed the fire as unintentional, with Mr. Han believing the ashes would provide nourishment for the tree. While this incident highlighted the need for improved fire safety practices, no citations or fines were issued. However, the Sheriff’s Office took a more serious stance, presenting a report and recommending a charge to the Sierra County District Attorney. The potential consequences of Mr. Han’s actions were made clear: Unlawfully causing a fire of a structure or forest land is a felony punishable by imprisonment in the state prison for two, three or four years, or by imprisonment in the county jail for not more than one year, or by a fine, or by both such imprisonment and fine (California Penal Code § 452).

On May 8th, Mr. Han burned a debris pile on a designated “no-burn” day, creating a second incident for which fire services were called. A remorseful Mr. Han explained that while it was reported that this fire was left unattended, he was present at all times and had three containers of water, a couple of tin drums, a hose, and a shovel nearby lest a situation present itself similar to the incident on March 20th. His failure to check with the proper agencies to confirm it was a burn day was due to a “dumb error.” Han went on to state that “there was no wind at all” but acknowledged to The Mountain Messenger that he understands the angst of local residents when it comes to unsafe fire practices and promised there would be no more burn issues from Sierra Streamside Resort while under his care.

Sierra County District Attorney Sandra Groven has one year by statute to file charges and is currently reviewing the matter.

To confirm whether it is a burn or no-burn day, contact the Northern Sierra Air Quality Management: https://myairdistrict.com/index.php/burning-info/burn-day-status or call (530) 274-7928 for Burn Status updates via telephone. Burn permits are issued through CAL FIRE: https://burnpermit.fire.ca.gov. The Sierra County Sheriff’s Office always appreciates being notified when residents are going to do a controlled burn by calling (530) 289-3700 so they can eliminate worries from folks calling in “seeing smoke.”