Man charged for starting 2008 Summit Fire

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA Authorities have arrested and charged a man with causing the May 2008 /*Summit Fire*/ in /*Santa Cruz*/. They said Channing Verden was a contractor hired to clear brush in the Santa Cruz Mountains last spring.

The blaze consumed more than 4,200 acres and destroyed 132 structures and outbuildings.

The suspect has been charged with one felony count of unlawfully causing a fire, plus an enhancement of causing multiple structures to burn. If convicted, Verden faces a maximum of seven-years in prison.