Before discussing charges against a Banning man accused of arson Wednesday morning, prosecutors, fire chiefs and a group of firefighters at a Riverside news conference held a moment of silence for the 19 firefighters who died Sunday battling a lightning-start blaze northwest of Phoenix.
Two of the deceased were Hemet natives.
Riverside County District Attorney Paul Zellerbach appeared before broadcast, print and digital reporters with Deputy D.A. Amy Zeta, Cal Fire/Riverside County Chief John Hawkins, San Bernardino County District Attorney Mike Ramos, and Cal Fire Southern Region Chief Dale Hutchinson before noon July 3.
Later in the news conference, Cal Fire Riverside County Chief John Hawkins angrily recalled the arson-started Esperanza Fire that started in Cabazon Oct. 26, 2006, when the five-member crew of USFS Engine 57 were killed trying to protect a home on Gorgonio View.
Steven Taylor Rutherford, 47, who is charged with 13 felony counts of arson in connection with nine fires in and near the San Gorgonio Pass since 2011, including the Mill Fire on Friday June 28 that ripped through the Mentone-Yucaipa area, pleaded not guilty to all counts Wednesday afternoon in Riverside Superior Court.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
