The Cocos Fire in San Marcos was one of nine fires that burned 9,000 acres in San Diego County on the same day
By Matt Rascon and R. Stickney ••
NBC 7 has learned that a 13-year-old girl accused of setting the Cocos Fire lived in the area and was homeschooled by her adoptive parents. She was scheduled for a detention hearing Wednesday, but the judge ordered a mental competency evaluation instead. NBC 7’s Rory Devine reports.
A teenage girl accused of starting the devastating Cocos Fire faces multiple charges including four felonies and will undergo a mental evaluation.
The juvenile faces four felony charges and one misdemeanor in connection with the wildfire that destroyed close to 40 homes in San Marcos on May 14.
The charges include two counts of arson of an inhabited structure or property in which multiple structures were burned and two counts of arson of a structure or forest land in a reckless manner.
She also faces a misdemeanor of unlawfully allowing a fire to escape from one’s control.
Superior Court Judge Aaron Katz delayed her arraignment until the minor undergoes an exam for mental competency at the request of her attorney.
The teenager wore her long, blonde hair down when she appeared Wednesday in San Diego County Juvenile Court.
She said only "Good morning" and looked at Judge Katz almost the entire time, according to pool reporters in the hearing.
At one point, she looked back at her parents with what was described as a blank stare.
“The charges are very serious charges,” said Deputy District Attorney Shawnalyse Ochoa. “The minor is currently at home with her parents.”
Judge Katz ruled the juvenile could be identified by first name only. He also ruled that the teen could not leave her home without her parents and must adhere to a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew.
The fire that sparked near Village Drive and Twin Oaks Road forced the evacuation of Cal State San Marcos and hundreds of other homes.
More than 2,000 acres were burned costing the City of San Marcos approximately $10.4 million in damage and firefighting costs.
The next hearing in Juvenile Court is scheduled for August 20.
NBC 7 is not showing images of the juvenile outside Wednesday's court hearing because it is our policy not to identify minors involved in a crime.
Getty Images
SAN MARCOS, CA - MAY 15: Flames spread near a firefighter at the Cocos fire on May 15, 2014 in San Marcos, California. Fire agencies throughout the state are scrambling to prepare for what is expected to be a dangerous year of wildfires in this third year of extreme drought in California. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
Getty Images
SAN MARCOS, CA - MAY 15: Flames spread near a firefighter at the Cocos fire on May 15, 2014 in San Marcos, California. Fire agencies throughout the state are scrambling to prepare for what is expected to be a dangerous year of wildfires in this third year of extreme drought in California. (Photo by David McNew/Getty Images)
AP
A woman douses water from a hose around her home as her neighbor's home burns during a wildfire Thursday, May 15, 2014, in Escondido, Calif. One of the nine fires burning in San Diego County suddenly flared Thursday afternoon and burned close to homes, trigging thousands of new evacuation orders.
Dana Petrovich Schwartz.
Photo of Cocos Fire: Broken heart of smoke above San Marcos Fire. Submitted by Dana Petrovich Schwartz.
Jennifer
Town of fallbrook Dark smoke and snowing ash
Christian Fernandez
A viewer submitted this photo of the Cocos Fire burning in San Marcos near Palomar Hospital.
John Beaune
John Helsley
A suffocating soup of smoke at Camp Pendleton from the Tomahawk, Pulgas, and Combat fires, collecting in the Temecula, Murrieta, and Wildomar Valley area. Picture by John Helsley.
John Beaune
A shot of the Cocos Fire.
Wendy Fry
The aftermath of the Cocos Fire.
Bob Arii
Photo of a brush fire in Santee on Saturday, May 17.
"This is Facility Dog Dottie doing respite work with fire fighters in San Marcos," says Sandy Snodgrass, who submitted this photo.
Fire burning near Camp Pendleton.
Photo said to be taken of the Cocos Fire as residents fled their neighborhood.
The Cocos Fire in San Marcos burned extremely close to many homes.
Residents flee the Cocos Fire in San Marcos.
San Marcos Fire Pics Pics as I was fleeing our neighborhood.
Monica Dean
Picture of a brush fire which sparked in Sycamore Canyon Saturday morning, north of Santee Lakes and on the edge of East Miramar.
A brush fire sparked in Sycamore Canyon Saturday morning, north of Santee Lakes and on the edge of East Miramar.
Photo a brush fire in Santee.
Julianne Bradford, Freelance Photography
Taken yesterday from Oceanside Arrowood Community just south of Camp Pendleton.
Julianne Bradford, Freelance Photography
Taken yesterday from Oceanside Arrowood Community just south of Camp Pendleton.
Les Abeyta
This image was taken looking northwest from the Pocket Park at 3603 Promontory Place in Carlsbad, Calif.
Submitted by an NBC 7 viewer.
Steven Luke
The DC-10 Supertanker about to make a drop on San Marcos fire.
Brittany N Cooley
Las Pulgas Fire near the Marine Corps Air Station aboard Camp Pendleton Las Pulgas Fire near the Marine Corps Air Station aboard Camp Pendleton; taken around noon today.
oxana
firefighters at work hello, just wanted to send a few images i took of firefighters at work (taken at Carlsbad area). I am originally a wedding photographer but today i am on a slightly different mission: no flowers, wedding rings and cute smiling children. Today is all about heros who make things above possible... I can't send more than one at a time but i'll try to send four images..
Jake
DC-10 DC-10 dropping fire retardant
AP
Jeff Buchanan waters the scorched earth around a neighbor's house that burned to the ground during a wildfire Thursday, May 15, 2014, in Escondido, Calif. One of the nine fires burning in San Diego County suddenly flared Thursday afternoon and burned close to homes, trigging thousands of new evacuation orders.
AP
A helicopter drops retardants while battling the Cocos fire Thursday, May 15, 2014, in San Marcos, Calif. The San Diego County sheriff says nearly 13,000 new evacuation notices have been issued due to a wildfire. Sheriff Bill Gore said the notifications are due to a Thursday afternoon flare-up and erratic winds around the Southern California city of San Marcos.
AP
Fire engulfs a structure during a wildfire Thursday, May 15, 2014, in Escondido, Calif. One of the nine fires burning in San Diego County suddenly flared Thursday afternoon and burned close to homes, trigging thousands of new evacuation orders.
AP
A fire climbs a hillside toward homes Thursday, May 15, 2014, in San Marcos, Calif. The San Diego County sheriff says nearly 13,000 new evacuation notices have been issued due to a wildfire. Sheriff Bill Gore said the notifications are due to a Thursday afternoon flare-up and erratic winds around the Southern California city of San Marcos.
AP
A woman douses water from a hose around her home as her neighbor's home burns during a wildfire Thursday, May 15, 2014, in Escondido, Calif. One of the nine fires burning in San Diego County suddenly flared Thursday afternoon and burned close to homes, trigging thousands of new evacuation orders.
AP
Firefighters take a break on a hillside after hours of work as the brush burns below them Thursday, May 15, 2014, in San Marcos, Calif. Gusty winds failed to return Thursday morning in San Diego County wildfire areas and authorities said it was a window of opportunity to make further gains against flames that burned homes and drove tens of thousands from their homes.
Viewer Nick Snyder sent in long exposures of the San Marcos fire taken from his backyard in Carmel Valley.
Evan S
A helicopter drops fire retardant over the Cocos Fire in San Marcos.
U.S. Marines
A U.S. Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion helicopter, Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 462 (HMH-462), Marine Aircraft Group 16, 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (MAW) collects water in a bambi bucket during aerial firefighting efforts, May 14, 2014. 3rd MAW aircraft partnered with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection to conduct aerial firefighting against several wildfires ablaze in San Diego County.
Alan Crosthwaite
The Cocos Fire burns the San Marcos hillside on May 14, 2014.
Daniel Allan
A full moon rises over the Cocos Fire on May 14, 2014.
Edgar Herrera
A group stands in front of the Cocos Fire.
AP
Del Mar firefighters roll up hose after a day fighting wildfires Wednesday, May 14, 2014, in Carlsbad, Calif. More wildfires broke out Wednesday in San Diego County, threatening homes in Carlsbad and forcing the evacuations of military housing and an elementary school at Camp Pendleton.
AP
Travis Lowell takes a picture as smoke from wildfires rise, Wednesday, May 14, 2014, in Carlsbad, Calif. More wildfires broke out Wednesday in San Diego County — threatening homes in Carlsbad and forcing the evacuations of military housing and an elementary school at Camp Pendleton — as Southern California is in the grip of a heat wave.
A house in San Marcos threatened by flames. Thousands of acres have burned during the two days of brush fires around San Diego County in May 2014. Sunset meant cooler temperatures for firefighters, who were set to work into the night.
Dirk-Uwe Bartsch
Helicopter flying towards the firezone. Picture taken with Canon SX-50 at 1200 mm equivalent zoom. Picture taken in Del Mar, CA looking towards the setting sun.
Megan Koyl
Photo taken near LA Fitness Encinitas looking northeast.
The fire in San Marcos
Keith Newstrom
Sheriff's helicopter over San Elijo Discovery Lake. Photo submitted by Keith Newstrom.
Fire engulfs Savona Apartment Complex in San Marcos as residents evacuate.
Steven Luke
Meredith Gregory
Firefighters watching the line in Fallbrook.
NBC 7 San Diego
The late afternoon sun casts a shadow over the fire in Lakeside.
Kari Anderson Brooner
Conor Fox
Area behind Cal State San Marcos as the fire burned.
Dan Stamm/NBC Philadelphia
A new fire sparked in Fallbrook on Thursday.
Meredith Gregory
Marcus Riley
Several homes and businesses were lost to the fire in Carlsbad.
This shot was taken by a San Diegan on a Southwest flight returning from Las Vegas.
Gabrielle Coleman
Marissa D. sent this shot in of a baby at Ponto Beach in Carlsbad around noon.
NBC 7 San Diego
A ninth fire sparked late in the day near Lakeside and unincorporated El Cajon.
NBC 7 San Diego
Anthony Wagner
Another shot of the Lakeside fire.
An NBC 7 crew caught a fire tornado on camera during the fires on Wednesday.
Matt Rascon/NBC 7
NBC 7's Matt Rascon got a shot of the hazy plate of a sun visible behind the fire at Camp Pendleton.
Jeremy Singleton
Another shot of the fire at Camp Pendleton, which grew to more than 6,000 acres in a single day.
NBC 7
NBC 7's Greg Bledsoe is reporting from El Camino Real as the fire jumps from the north to the south.
NBC 7
Images from NBC 7 news crews along El Camino Real as fire jumps over the road.
Meredith Gregory
A home in Carlsbad with thick, black smoke looming in the distance.
Getty Images
Homes burning on a hillside on Wednesday.
NBC 7
Images captured by NBC 7 News crews on Skimmer Court in Carlsbad, Wednesday May 14, 2014.
NBC 7
Images captured by NBC 7 news photographers in the Santaluz area as the Bernardo Fire threatened homes, Tuesday, May 13, 2014.
NBC 7
Images captured by NBC 7 news photographers in the Santaluz area as the Bernardo Fire threatened homes, Tuesday, May 13, 2014.
NBC 7 San Diego
Images captured by NBC 7 news photographers in the Santaluz area as the Bernardo Fire threatened homes, Tuesday, May 13, 2014.
NBC 7
Images captured by NBC 7 news photographers in the Santaluz area as the Bernardo Fire threatened homes, Tuesday, May 13, 2014.
NBC 7 reporter Omari Fleming was very close to a chopper water drop at a golf course near Santaluz.
NBC 7
Fire crews trying to hold the line near Camino del Sur, not far from 4S Ranch.
NBC 7
A shot of the brush fire threatening homes in 4S Ranch on Tuesday.
Time and again, there were images of fire crews being threatened by flames and smoke.
crystalv
Thomas Freismuth II
Viewers sent NBC 7 dozens of images of the Bernardo Fire.
Because there was only a single blaze, firefighting aircraft had a much higher profile.
Juanita Valenzuela
Backyard in Vista about 7 miles from Twin oaks valley road. This photo was just taken in a minute ago in my backyard. We are about 7 miles west of the Twin Oaks Valley/78 off ramp. We can hear the helicopters going over our heads. And then we hear that about 10 seconds later on the television. We watched all day yesterday but never saw it like this from our backyard. Kind of scary. Submitted by Juanita Valenzuela.
Thomas Freismuth II
As always, wildlife was forced out ahead of the fire, in this case at a golf course.
Thomas Freismuth II
An aircraft dropping fire retardant on the Bernardo Fire on Tuesday.
jadams
Two men donned masks to protect their lungs from smoke as they rode around in their golf cart.
The Bernardo Fire raged across the North County on May 13, 2014.
Twitter.com/ifathie
The immense plume of smoke created surreal images across San Diego County.
Incredibly, not a single home was lost to the Bernardo Fire on Tuesday.
Picture tweeted out from Del Norte High School -- near the point of the fire's origination -- by @milly_lauren.
Another chopper shot of the 4S Ranch fire.
nbcsandiego/Instagram
Viewer photos of firefighters battling a brush fire in the 4S Ranch neighborhood.
Aubrey Paulick
A helicopter flies through the haze of the Fallbrook fire.
Alan R. Krayniewski
The sun sets amid the haze of the San Diego Complex -- formerly known as the Poinsettia Fire.
photos Right now it is 96 degrees out, 12% humidity and only 2 mph breeze (although you can't feel it at all.)The one picture shows the glow of the fire and smoke above the hill to our north, The second picture is showing smoke over the hill from the story you see on the TV Same smoke!Whew! Bruce HendersonRancho Santa Fe
Daniel Allan
Moon and wildfire near San Marcos and California full moon in the heat of the wild fires in San Marcos, Calif.
Submitted by an NBC 7 viewer
Submitted by an NBC 7 viewer.
Casey Wrightsman
Cocos Fire in San Marcos off of Cocos Dr. Submitted by Casey Wrightsman.
Bruce Henderson
Right now it is 96 degrees out, 12% humidity and only 2 mph breeze (although you can't feel it at all.)The one picture shows the glow of the fire and smoke above the hill to our north, The second picture is showing smoke over the hill from the story you see on the TV Same smoke! Whew! Submitted by Bruce Henderson of Rancho Santa Fe.
Horse being Rescued with Fire in Back Drop Taken during Escondido fire. -- Fatana Hashimi
Chrisan Robinson
Cocos Fire Birth This photo was taken Wed, May 14 about 3:30 pm from the Post Office on Twin Oaks Valley Road in San Marcos.
Tim Johanski
Poinsettia Fire within an hour after it started Looking north toward poinsettia on Estrella del Mar
Jason Gutierrez.
Rooftop view of Camp Pendleton from Carlsbad. Submitted by Jason Gutierrez.
Brittany N Cooley
Las Pulgas Fire from Vandegrift Blvd. taken around noon Friday.
Brittany N Cooley
Las Pulgas Fire Las Pulgas Fire aboard Camp Pendleton; taken around noon today.
Stacey Arthur
Talega fire from San Clemente I live in the Trestles community on the south end of San Clemente. I came home from errands late morning and this is what I saw from my front yard. Fire was a ways a way but drop helicopter flight path was over my street. Stacey Arthur
Justin Nakhonthap
Cal State San Marcos Cocos Fire from Mission Avenue
NBC SD HD User Submission Plugas fire from our backyard Friday.... -- Application: NBC SD HD Version: 30.3.6.0 (b3227f9b) Edition: en-US-nbcsandieg Ref: ylxsjwcoqzqrsr Model: iPad System Version: 7.0.6
Evacuation at CSUSM Hi NBC,I'm a student from CSUSM. I was in the library yesterday, preparing to take my last final exam of the semester when we heard the evacuation announcement over the loudspeaker at 3:41pm. The attached photos create a timeline starting only 3 minutes after the announcement. The flames were powerful and surprisingly close immediately upon leaving the library. The school did real good job notifying and evacuating the school quickly, only real issue was backed up traffic on Twin Oaks Valley Rd. Also just unbelievable was the firefighters quick response. Flames were incredibly tall, I don't know how the Prominence Apartment complex next to the school is still standing. I will send a short video clip I took across the street from the school (in Ralph's shopping center) at 3:56pm (15 mins after evacuation announcement) in a separate email. I've exceeded the maximum space limit according to gmail. You can see the flames, the massive smoke plume, and hear just how windy it was when this all happened. Chris P.
PATTI ROEBUCK
San Marcos State University Evacuation Picture of evacuation, May 15, 2014 from San Marcos State University sent to me by a friend via text.
Brian Griffith
San Marcos Fires This is a photo of the smoke rising from the San Elijo fire in San Marcos, CA at 1:09pm taken from the east side of the CA-78 freeway on May 15th, 2014.
NBC SD User Submission Escondido church fire. 5/15/14 -Laura L. -- Application: NBC SD Version: 3.3.6.0 (b3227f9b) Edition: en-US-nbcsandieg Ref: tnilfdyyu5clvqbvdr Model: iPhone System Version: 7.1.1
SANDI UHL
Picture of students evacuating Aviara Middle School This picture was taken by my 13 year old grandson during the evacuation of Aviara Middle School on Wednesday.
NBC SD User Submission Our view right now (from Bonsall toward Fallbrook). Why is there no news? -- Application: NBC SD Version: 3.3.6.0 (b3227f9b) Edition: en-US-nbcsandieg Ref: vadznnntbuwdill23jmuezi6d3mytnev Model: iPhone System Version: 7.0.4
Amy Krajec
This is the Las Pulgas Fire, as seen from my house in North Oceanside on Friday, May 16. Photo submitted by Amy Krajec.
NBC SD HD User Submission -- Application: NBC SD HD Version: 30.3.6.0 (b3227f9b) Edition: en-US-nbcsandieg Ref: zksh1yv5poapw Model: iPad System Version: 7.1.1
User submission.
Bernardo Fire Aftermath along Lusardi Creek Loop Trail Photos taken with my iPhone along the "Lusardi Creek Loop Trail" that winds through the fire area of the "Bernardo Fire" last week. I rode my mountain bike along the trail and surprisingly I could hear a lot of birds tweeting, frogs croaking along the creek and saw a very mad rattlesnake along the trail. These photos were taken the morning of May 17th a few days after the fire. Ken Ota
Bernardo Fire Aftermath along Lusardi Creek Loop Trail Photos taken with my iPhone along the "Lusardi Creek Loop Trail" that winds through the fire area of the "Bernardo Fire" last week. I rode my mountain bike along the trail and surprisingly I could hear a lot of birds tweeting, frogs croaking along the creek and saw a very mad rattlesnake along the trail. These photos were taken the morning of May 17th a few days after the fire. Ken Ota
Bernardo Fire Aftermath along Lusardi Creek Loop Trail Photos taken with my iPhone along the "Lusardi Creek Loop Trail" that winds through the fire area of the "Bernardo Fire" last week. I rode my mountain bike along the trail and surprisingly I could hear a lot of birds tweeting, frogs croaking along the creek and saw a very mad rattlesnake along the trail. These photos were taken the morning of May 17th a few days after the fire. Ken Ota
Bernardo Fire Aftermath along Lusardi Creek Loop Trail Photos taken with my iPhone along the "Lusardi Creek Loop Trail" that winds through the fire area of the "Bernardo Fire" last week. I rode my mountain bike along the trail and surprisingly I could hear a lot of birds tweeting, frogs croaking along the creek and saw a very mad rattlesnake along the trail. These photos were taken the morning of May 17th a few days after the fire. Ken Ota
Bernardo Fire Aftermath along Lusardi Creek Loop Trail Photos taken with my iPhone along the "Lusardi Creek Loop Trail" that winds through the fire area of the "Bernardo Fire" last week. I rode my mountain bike along the trail and surprisingly I could hear a lot of birds tweeting, frogs croaking along the creek and saw a very mad rattlesnake along the trail. These photos were taken the morning of May 17th a few days after the fire. Ken Ota
Bernardo Fire Aftermath along Lusardi Creek Loop Trail Photos taken with my iPhone along the "Lusardi Creek Loop Trail" that winds through the fire area of the "Bernardo Fire" last week. I rode my mountain bike along the trail and surprisingly I could hear a lot of birds tweeting, frogs croaking along the creek and saw a very mad rattlesnake along the trail. These photos were taken the morning of May 17th a few days after the fire. Ken Ota
Bernardo Fire Aftermath along Lusardi Creek Loop Trail Photos taken with my iPhone along the "Lusardi Creek Loop Trail" that winds through the fire area of the "Bernardo Fire" last week. I rode my mountain bike along the trail and surprisingly I could hear a lot of birds tweeting, frogs croaking along the creek and saw a very mad rattlesnake along the trail. These photos were taken the morning of May 17th a few days after the fire. Ken Ota
Bernardo Fire Aftermath along Lusardi Creek Loop Trail Photos taken with my iPhone along the "Lusardi Creek Loop Trail" that winds through the fire area of the "Bernardo Fire" last week. I rode my mountain bike along the trail and surprisingly I could hear a lot of birds tweeting, frogs croaking along the creek and saw a very mad rattlesnake along the trail. These photos were taken the morning of May 17th a few days after the fire. Ken Ota
Nicole Del Gatto
Fire Off Country Club Helping put out a fire off Country Club
Nicole Del Gatto
Taking a break Citizens and fire fighters taking a break after putting out a fire off country club
Fire Sunset Fire sunset taken from my backyard in Pauma Valley, Ca. Thought you would like to show. Love your news station!Sent from my Verizon Wireless 4G LTE smartphone
San Marcos resident Loretta Wasson has known the family involved for as long as she’s lived in the community – 17 years.
“To actually say she did it on purpose… it just doesn’t seem possible,” Wasson said.
She recalled the day that she first saw smoke near her home, in an area she described as a gully between homes.
“All I saw was smoke,” she said.
“That’s when I saw the firefighters. One of the neighbors was out there with water trying to put it out.”
Louie Ramirez recalls how he first spotted the smoke near his home while he was putting away dishes in his kitchen.
“I saw that tall pine in between those two yards on fire,” he said describing how he went outside his home, using a cane, to alert his neighbors.
“And then somehow it jumped way up the hill,” he said. “And there it went.”
Ramirez said he remembers seeing young girls in the area when the fire first started, a fact that he told firefighters that day.
“I saw them running around like their tails were cut off,” he said of the girls.
However, he was surprised to learn a teenage girl may soon be charged with arson in connection with the devastating San Marcos Fire.
On NBC 7's Facebook page, many are having a heated debate on whether the teenager should be tried in Juvenile Court or be tried as an adult.
Christyne Allyce Wallis of Oceanside posted, "She destroyed property, cancelled school, graduation and caused businesses to miss out on thousands of dollars in revenue. Not to mention to actual cost of putting the fires out. She deserves to be tried as an adult and her parents need to be held somewhat responsible."
However, there were other followers who said the teenager belongs in Juvenile Court.
"No child should be tried as an adult. Children are children and how do u decided who was adult enough to make a stupid decision," Ginger Bryce posted.
