If you’re reading local Los Angeles news, the forests around L.A. are portrayed as a dumping ground for bodies and playground for drunken vandals.

I swear, it’s not that bad.

The LA Times story is really interesting, if you’ve ever wondered just how they track down people who start forest fires. Long story short, some good ol-fashioned electronic detective work.

Tags: Angeles National Forest, crime, fires, Malibu Fire, Santa Monica Mountains