For Immediate Release

Lieutenant Jim Byers

Arson Suspect Arrested

On 7/10/16, 2016, at 10:30 pm, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office responded to a report of a verbal argument and possible arson fire at one the Sierra Oaks Apartment Complexes located of La Crescenta Drive.

When Deputies arrived, they contacted several residents that reported seeing a man that lived in the apartment complex start a fire near one of the air conditioning units to the building.  A husband of one of the reporting parties ran down with a fire extinguisher and put the fire out, and got into a verbal argument with the person that was seen starting the fire.

When Deputies checked the area near the air conditioner, they saw obvious signs of a recent fire.  Based on the description provided by the witnesses, Deputies recognized the suspect as 54 year old Michael Douglas Davis, who lives in the same complex.

Deputies contacted Davis and questioned him about the incident with CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Officers, who responded to assist with the arson investigation.

Based on the findings of the investigation, Davis was arrested on felony charges of arson of an inhabited structure, felony possession of arson material, and violation of probation.  Davis was booked into jail without incident.

Michael Douglas Davis,  DOB 10-08-61

Drowning Incident near Kyburz

On 7/9/16, 2016,  at 4:09 pm, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office was advised of a rafting accident on the South Fork of the American River in the Kyburz area.

According to the 911 call, several people had been rafting in inner tubes on the South Fork of the American River in the China Flat Campground area, and after going through a section of rapids, one of the parties was now missing.

CAL FIRE, County Fire, and Deputies responded to the area and began an immediate search of the area.

At 4:45 pm, the victim was located submerged in a section of very heavy rapids, and a recovery effort was started.

At 6:00 pm, the victim was removed from the water and pronounced deceased by paramedics.

The victim has been identified as 32 year old Elaine Yi Mau, of San Francisco.  The accident is under investigation by the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office Boating Safety Unit and by the Coroner’s office.  At this time it has not been determined if the victim was wearing a life jacket at the time of the accident.

***Trailhead Fire Update***

Effective at 5pm today, all voluntary evacuation orders and road closures have been lifted for all affected areas of the Trailhead fire in El Dorado County.