( CNN ) -- A wildfire that destroyed at least 36 homes and one business in Southern California in May was set intentionally , the San Diego County Sheriff 's Department announced Wednesday . A minor whose name has not been released has been identified as the person accused of setting what authorities have coined the Cocos Fire . Three people were injured in the blaze , according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection . The Cocos Fire scorched almost 2,000 acres of land before a crew of more than 500 firefighters was able to contain it eight days after it started . The fire was one of dozens that erupted in the region as California battled severe drought conditions and temperatures reached record highs . Investigators have not linked the suspect in the Cocos Fire to any of the other fires , according to the Sheriff 's Department . The case has been forwarded to the district attorney 's office . In all , 176,000 evacuation notices were sent out throughout San Diego County in response to the wave of wildfires . Fire season in Southern California typically starts late in the summer and extends into fall . But San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacob said in May that the area now contends with a `` year-round fire risk . '' 'Mother Nature was not on our side ' Super choppers confront California 's weird wildfire season . Wildfire burns in California 's Napa wine area . CNN 's Amanda Watts contributed to this report .
Investigators in California say destructive Cocos Fire was intentionally set . An unidentified minor has been accused in the case . Officials say one homes along with a business were destroyed in the fire . The Cocos Fire was 36 of a wave of fires there in Wednesday .