The two men suspected of starting the Elk fire back in May of 2022 are scheduled to appear in court this morning for a continuation of their earlier disposition hearings.
Liam Stinson and Aaron McKeeman were arrested in 2022 after reports of a brush fire starting near Elk Trail in Yucca Valley.
The two suspects were reported by San Bernardino Sheriff’s deputies to be driving away in a Toyota Prius from the area in the Yucca Valley hills where the fire started, and were subsequently arrested after deputies discovered that the campers had ignited dry brush near their campsite – which quickly grew out of control and exploded to 431 acres.
Dry brush and invasive grass aided the fast moving fire as it moved toward the Northern border of Joshua Tree National Park, threatening about 10 structures. Quick work by Cal Fire and National Park firefighters had the fire fully contained and extinguished within a few days.
Both suspects were 18 years old at the time of their arrest, and are not residents of the Morongo Basin.
Court appearances for both suspects have been in person and via telephone.
