The burned body of a man, who authorities say committed suicide, has been determined as the source of the Tassajara Fire, which destroyed a number of homes on Sept. 19 and continues to burn 1,086 acres as of Wednesday.
The man's identity or the exact circumstances surrounding his suicide have not yet been released. The Monterey County Sheriff's Office will release that information once the investigation into the death is complete.
Sheriff's Office spokesman John Thornburg says the body was found near a torched vehicle in the area of Tassajara Road, between Carmel Valley Road and Cachagua Road.
He added "items" were found near his body, but would not confirm any other details.
An autopsy began on Monday and on Tuesday officials were checking the man's dental records, but Thornburg says the man cannot yet be identified. He says Coroner's Office officials have a good idea of who he may be, but want to make sure the match is precise before any names are released.
Sources suspect the man set himself on fire. On that day, the weather was unusually hot, dry and windy, which made the fire more fierce.
As of Wednesday, the fire burned 1,086 acres with 81 percent contained. Raging flames destroyed 11 residences and damaged one home, and people living within the fire perimeter on Tassajara and Cachagua roads were still not allowed back in.
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