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 at a fire station in Mendocino County.
The firefighter, identified as a 38-year-old male, is accused of intentionally setting fires in Sonoma County while off duty between August 15 and September 14. Fortunately, quick responses from residents and fire suppression teams limited the damages to just one acre of land.
Cal Fire Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler expressed shock at the betrayal of public trust by one of their own employees. He commended the vigilance of residents for aiding in the apprehension of the suspect.
According to a report by the National Volunteer Fire Council, there is no comprehensive national database for firefighter arson cases. However, estimates suggest that over 100 firefighters are arrested annually for arson-related offenses.
The arrested firefighter is expected to face charges of arson to forest land and will be processed at Sonoma County Jail. At the time of the report, it was unclear if the suspect had legal representation.
This incident comes in the wake of another arrest related to the Line Fire in San Bernardino County, where a 34-year-old man faces multiple charges, including arson causing significant damages and bodily harm to a firefighter.
Cal Fire has been proactive in combating arson, with 91 suspected arsonists arrested this year alone and a total of 923 arrests since 2016.
