California Firefighter Arrested for Allegedly Starting Five Brush Fires in Northern California

A firefighter with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) has been arrested on suspicion of starting five brush fires in Northern California between August and September. The employee, an apparatus engineer, was arrested at his workplace in Healdsburg, accused of setting the fires while off duty. Fortunately, the fires were quickly contained, burning less than an acre in total.

Cal Fire’s director expressed dismay over the situation, emphasizing that the actions of one individual do not reflect the dedication of the agency’s 12,000 workers. The agency has declined to comment further on the arrest. This incident comes shortly after a separate case in Southern California, where another individual pleaded not guilty to starting the Line Fire, which has burned 61 square miles.

These back-to-back arson cases have raised public concerns over fire-related crimes in California.