McCain Blames Some of Arizona's Massive Wildfires on Illegal Aliens

Arizona Sen. John McCain said this weekend that there is "substantial evidence" showing illegal aliens have caused some of the massive Arizona wildfires that have destroyed a combined 732,427 acres.

"We are concerned about, particularly, areas down on the border where there is substantial evidence that some of these fires have been caused by people who have crossed our border illegally," McCain said at a Saturday press conference. "The answer to that part of the problem is to get a secure border."

“They have set fires because they signal others, they have set fires to keep warm, and they have set fires in order to divert law enforcement agents and agencies from them,” he added:

McCain, however, did not cite specific evidence proving his claim, according to CNN. That has led to criticism from Latino groups.

"It's easier to fan the flames of intolerance, especially in Arizona," Randy Parraz, a civil rights advocate who ran against McCain in 2010, told CNN.

"The degree of irresponsible political pandering by Sen. McCain has no limits," Angelo Falcon, the president of the National Institute for Latino Policy, added. "With the lack of evidence, he might as well also blame aliens from outer space for the fires."

McCain's claims are also being disputed by the U.S. Forest Service. A spokesman told ABC News on Sunday that the Wallow fire that McCain toured Saturday was, in fact, started by humans. But he said there is no evidence to suggest it was illegal aliens.

"Absolutely not, at this level," Tom Berglund said when asked if there was "substantial evidence" as McCain said. "There's no evidence that I'm aware, no evidence that's been public, indicating such a thing."

(H/T: HuffPo)