RIVERSIDE, Calif. -- Raymond Lee Oyler, a 36-year-old car mechanic, was accused Thursday of starting the Esperanza wildfire and faces arson and murder charges in connection with the deadliest blaze for U.S. firefighters in more than a decade.
Oyler, who already was in custody and accused of setting two smaller fires in the same area of Riverside County, appeared in court and pleaded not guilty to all charges.
He was held without bail and is to return to court Dec. 15.
According to the complaint, Oyler faces five counts of murder, 11 counts of arson and 10 counts of using an incendiary device. He is accused of setting fires from June 7 to Oct. 26, the date of the Esperanza fire.
The complaint also alleges two special circumstances -- murder during an arson and multiple murders.
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The charges could lead to a capital punishment case, but District Attorney Rod Pacheco said at a news conference that his office will consult with friends and families of the slain firefighters before deciding on whether to seek the death penalty.
If convicted, Oyler could face at least life in prison without parole.
Pacheco praised the team of local, state and federal investigators for their efforts.
"They have worked tirelessly in the last several days and weeks to solve a most heinous crime," he said.
The Esperanza fire began just after 1 a.m. Oct. 26 in the San Jacinto Mountains and burned for about five days before it was fully contained. Fed by fierce Santa Ana winds, the fire consumed more than 40,000 acres, destroyed 34 homes and led to the evacuation of hundreds of people from Twin Pines and Poppet Flats.
Five firefighters lost their lives in fighting the blaze, the last this week at a hospital.
The fifth death gave the Esperanza fire, about 20 miles from Palm Springs, the tragic distinction of having the greatest loss of firefighters in a single wildfire incident since 14 died in July 1994 near Glenwood Springs, Colo.
The wind-driven Esperanza fire killed four Idyllwild-based fighters trying to save a remote canyon home. A fifth crew member, Pablo Cerda, 23, died Tuesday of burns that covered 90 percent of his body.
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Along with Cerda, firefighters killed were Mark Loutzenhiser, 43, the team's captain; Jason McKay, 27; Jess McLean, 27; and Daniel Hoover-Najera, 20. McKay was born in Virginia, but his family moved to California shortly afterward, said his sister, Kim McKay of Duluth.
In addition to those who died, a dozen firefighters were injured.
