Mower Ignited Bear Fire

?EUR??,,????'??Man cuts grass?EUR??,,????'?? is unlikely news, unless you're William Rupp of Jones Valley in Shasta County, northern Calif. In the mid-August 100-degree heat, Rupp decided to climb aboard his mower to cut the grass on his property, despite knowing it was hazardous to operate the mower in the extreme heat and dry conditions. It's believed the mower's blades struck a rock and ignited a spark that soon turned into a conflagration called the Bear Fire, which destroyed 11,000 acres and 86 homes. Rupp was charged with both felony and misdemeanor arson counts.