SAN BERNARDINO — Wholesale Fireworks Corp and its subsidiary American Fireworks Wholesale LLC agreed to pay more than $4 million to resolve civil claims related to the El Dorado wildfire, which occurred in 2020. The settlement was announced by the U.S. attorney's office for the central district of California on Tuesday.
The settlement resolves civil claims filed on behalf of the U.S. Forest Service. The El Dorado fire burned 22,744 acres in the San Bernardino National Forest. The fire also destroyed nine structures and more than 12 outbuildings. U.S. Forest Service officials estimated the total property damage from the wildfire at more than $41 million.
U.S. Forest Service firefighter Charles Morton, 39, died while fighting the fire in the San Bernardino National Forest. The fire was ignited by gender-reveal smoke bombs. The devices were launched by the couple, Refugio Jimenez Jr and Angela Renee Jimenez on September 5, 2020, during a photo shoot at El Dorado Ranch park.
Federal prosecutors alleged the companies did not provide adequate warnings that the smoke bombs could cause fires. They also alleged that the smoke bombs contained an unsafe design. Prosecutors argued that Wholesale Fireworks Corp and American Fireworks Wholesale LLC were liable for designing, importing, distributing, marketing, and advertising the devices. Federal prosecutors stated that the pyrotechnic devices sold were illegal in the state of California.
Refugio Jimenez Jr and Angela Renee Jimenez pleaded guilty to involuntary manslaughter and other charges in 2024. According to the San Bernardino County District Attorney's Office, Refugio Jimenez Jr was sentenced to one year in jail and two years of probation. The office stated Angela Renee Jimenez was sentenced to one year of probation. Additionally, the couple was ordered to pay nearly $1.8 million in restitution.
Wholesale Fireworks Corp operates from Hubbard, Ohio. The widespread gender-reveal practice was initiated by Jenna Karvunidis, who hosted a gender-reveal party in 2008.