Authorities say they have arrested a man on suspicion of arson in a fast-growing California wildfire that has driven nearly 2,800 people from their homes.
The arrest of 37-year-old Wayne Allen Huntsman was announced Thursday. He's being held on $10 million bail.
The 111-square-mile King Fire 60 miles east of Sacramento is threatening about 12,000 homes around the town of Pollock Pines. It has been fueled by gusty winds, along with timber and grass that is bone dry because of the state's ongoing drought.
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The fire more than doubled in size between Wednesday afternoon and Thursday morning. It is only 5% contained.
The fire has also caused unhealthy air quality throughout Northern Nevada.
Due to the uncertain path of the King Fire, the U.S. Forest Service Lake Tahoe Basin Management Unit has closed the McKinney Rubicon Trail and is advising against travel into the Desolation or Granite Chief wildernesses. Â
The Eldorado National Forest has issued a forest closure for its Desolation Wilderness trails and trailheads. In particular, hikers and equestrians should consider cancelling plans for overnight travel into the Desolation and Granite Chief wildernesses.
(The Associated Press and Forest Service contributed to this report.)
