It was one of nearly two dozen wind-whipped wildfires that swept across southern California in late October , forcing hundreds of thousands of people from homes near Los Angeles , San Diego and San Bernardino and leaving 14 people dead . There is no evidence that the boy intended to set the fire , prosecutors say . The boy's mother told police she had been drinking and was not aware of what her son planned to do with a lighter or gas can when he lit it on fire, according to court documents obtained by The boy was playing with matches ; the blaze destroyed 21 homes . The Buckweed fire started October 21 north of Los Angeles .
There is no evidence that the boy intended to set the fire , prosecutors say . The boy's mother told police she had been drinking and was not aware of what her son planned to do with a lighter or gas can when he lit it on fire, according to court documents obtained by The boy was playing with matches ; the blaze destroyed 21 homes . The Buckweed fire started October 21 north of Los Angeles .