The Stonyford man who started a vegetation fire in Stonyford last summer that destroyed several structures said he would rather go to jail than change his lifestyle.
Colusa County Superior Court Judge Jeffrey A. Thompson on Monday sentenced Karl Kristofors, 68, to two years in state prison for his previous no contest plea to one felony count of recklessly causing a fire after he violated his probation.
It was Kristofors’ request to now serve the time rather than be ordered by the Colusa County Probation Department to modify his behavior and follow their rules, which included abstaining from and testing for alcohol, marijuana, and controlled substances, officials said.
The fire happened around 3:49 p.m. on June 30 near the 200 block of Market Street in Stonyford and required the response of multiple fire agencies to control.
The fire completely destroyed one mobile home and shed and severely damaged other structures.
Kristofors initially faced a recommended sentence of up to three years in prison, but Thompson showed leniency because the fire was not intentional and Kristofors had no felony criminal history.
Public Defender Albert Smith said Kristofors has been cooperative despite his position that he does not want to be on probation.
Kristofors has remained in custody since his arrest in January after testing positive for alcohol and/or drugs. He will be given 277 days off his two-year prison sentence for time served and earned, and has been ordered to pay $20,957.20 in restitution. â–