Brian David Franks, one of the five men accused of starting last November’s Corral Fire, pleaded no contest on Wednesday to recklessly causing a fire. Franks, 27, is expected to be placed on five years probation and be ordered to do 300 hours of community service. He will be formally sentenced in Van Nuys Superior Court on Nov. 3. As part of the plea, Franks has agreed to testify against the other defendents.
—Jonathan Friedman