The River Fire started in Placer County on August 4, 2021 at 1:59 PM. It burned a total of 2,619 acres and destroyed 142 residential structures in Placer and Nevada Counties.
CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Investigators were immediately dispatched to the River Fire and began working to determine the origin and cause of the fire. Investigators determined the fire started in the brush alongside the river’s edge, in the overnight camping area of the Bear River Campground. The fire did not originate in a designated camp site.
Multiple people tried to extinguish the fire in its early stages. During the investigation, items were found near the fires origin indicating a person(s) had recently been present in the area.
The River Fire has been determined to be human caused. After a thorough investigation, including the examination of evidence and interviewing of witnesses, there is no evidence to support any malicious intent or criminal activity at this time.