A Cal Fire firefighter was arrested on Friday morning for allegedly starting five separate wildfires in California over the past six weeks. The suspect, a fire apparatus engineer, was apprehended by Cal Fire Law Enforcement officers in Mendocino County on charges of arson to forest land.
Cal Fire Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler expressed shock and disappointment at the betrayal of public trust by one of their own employees. The agency credited residents' vigilance for helping to identify the suspect, who is accused of intentionally starting fires in Sonoma County while off duty.
Fortunately, quick responses from residents and fire suppression teams limited the damage caused by the fires to just one acre of land. The suspect is facing five counts of arson to forest land and is currently in custody with a $2 million bail set.
According to the National Volunteer Fire Council, there is a lack of national data on firefighter arson cases, making it challenging for researchers and investigators to track such incidents. However, reports suggest that over 100 firefighters are arrested annually for arson-related offenses.
In a separate incident, a 34-year-old man was recently arrested in connection to the Line Fire in San Bernardino County. The suspect faces multiple charges, including arson causing significant damages and bodily harm to a firefighter.
Cal Fire has been proactive in addressing arson cases, with 91 suspected arsonists arrested by their law enforcement officers this year alone. Since 2016, the agency has apprehended a total of 923 suspected arsonists.
