Culprit of Waterfall fire may never be found

In the days immediately following the start of the Waterfall fire, speculation was rampant about who started the blaze that claimed more than a dozen homes and businesses.

Rumors that it could be a group of teens partying were dispelled pretty quickly, said Fire Chief Stacey Giomi.

For one thing, the location of a teen party isn't likely a quarter-mile hike up a mountain.

For another, the teens believed partying the night before the blaze were found, interviewed by investigators and cleared of any wrongdoing.

Though they were partying in the area, said Giomi, their spot, evident from the trash they left behind, was much closer to the road.

Giomi said in the months after the blaze, countless hours were spent investigating its cause.

Ultimately, he said, it looked like the fire started from a campfire not completely extinguished by a camper.

"Personal items" were found that would indicate as much, Giomi said, but he declined to reveal what those items were for fear that if a suspect was identified, it might jeopardize the investigation.

"We'll probably never know who started it," he said.