ROSEVILLE, CA - A Sacramento man charged with starting the 2,650-acre Robbers Fire near Foresthill and Colfax last July was released from custody following a preliminary hearing determining there was not enough evidence to try him.
The Placer County District Attorney's Office had charged Byron Craig Mason with five counts, including arson causing great bodily injury and arson of an inhabited dwelling in the July 11 fire. Several firefighters were injured fighting the nine-day fire and some structures burned. One hundred and 70 homes were evacuated.
STORY: Robbers Fire suspect charged with arson
Mason was alleged to have lit and thrown an illegal commercial grade pyrotechnic at a swimming hole of Shirttail Creek. The fireworks started the forest fire, according to CalFire.
CalFire put the cost of the firefight at $13 million.
The D.A.'s office says will continue to pursue the case. Another court hearing was set for April 2.
News10/KXTV