A man was taken into custody late Friday night after admitting he ignited a brush fire at Pioneer Park in Azusa, California, as the Los Angeles wildfires persist, local law enforcement said on Saturday.
The Context
The arrest comes as California continues to battle multiple destructive wildfires. The Pacific Palisades fire has been roaring through Los Angeles County, spreading throughout the region spurred by powerful Santa Ana winds. The fire was estimated to cover more than 11,802 acres and has forced at least 30,000 to leave their homes.
At least three blazes are currently active in the region as of Sunday, according to California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL Fire). According to the Associated Press, the death toll of the fires has reached 16, and over 12,300 structures have been destroyed according to Cal Fire, with more at risk as weather conditions persist.
What To Know
In a Saturday press release posted to Facebook, the Azusa Police Department said officers responded to Pioneer Park shortly after 11:30 p.m. on Friday following reports of a fire. Upon arrival, a witness directed officers to a man believed to have started the blaze. The suspect, identified by police as Jose Carranza-Escobar, was found standing near the flames.
Carranza-Escobar, who police described as a transient, admitted to setting the fire. He was then arrested on suspicion of arson and is currently being held in custody.
“Azusa PD urges everyone to remain alert as fires continue to affect the county,” the department wrote in a post on Facebook. “We must be cautious of individuals who may enter our community with the intent to start fires. The Azusa Police Department has staffed extra officers on duty due to the ongoing fire situation. We are taking a ‘zero tolerance’ stance on these types of criminal acts.”
The Los Angeles County Fire Department has since extinguished the flames.
In a statement to Newsweek via phone on Sunday, Azusa Police Captain Robert Landeros emphasized the department’s “zero tolerance” stance, adding that the wildfires have led to increased staff to be on the lookout for arson type of behavior.
“It’s obviously stressful for our community who is already on edge. We’ve had our fair share of major fires over the years, we’ve experienced evacuations in this community, fortunately we did not experience evacuations this time, so we’ve been able to divert resources from our police department to help out neighboring communities. People who live along the foothills are at a higher alert state right now and everybody’s watching to prevent individuals who take pleasure in causing damage with fire,” Landeros said.
He added: “We want to stop that, and we encourage everybody to call 911 if they see something suspicious, all the agencies up here, mine included, have staffed extra officers out there to patrol high risk areas to prevent this kind of behavior. We are actively looking for people that come into these areas to try and do illegal acts.”
Similar Incidents
While the incident comes as Southern California battles the wildfires amid high wind warnings, it’s not the first incident in which a suspect has been arrested for starting a fire.
California State Parks announced Friday the arrest of 60-year-old Gloria Lynn Mandich in connection with a brush fire that ignited near Leo Carrillo State Park in Los Angeles County.
Mandich was booked into Ventura County Jail on a felony charge of arson under California Penal Code 451(d) and is scheduled to appear in Ventura County Superior Court. Authorities say the fire, which started on January 8, was quickly extinguished by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
Law enforcement also detained a man near the Kenneth fire in Woodland Hills on suspicion of arson. However, following further investigation, Los Angeles Police Department officials determined there was insufficient probable cause to charge him with arson.
What People Are Saying
Los Angeles District Attorney Nathan Hochman said during a recent press conference: “If it is determined that there is a manmade or intentional setting of any of the fires in this situation, the people who committed this arson will be arrested. They will be prosecuted. They will be punished to the full extent of the law. Right now, obviously, law enforcement and firefighters are focused on containing these properties, saving lives, saving homes. But eventually, we will get to the causes of those fires, and that part the DA’s office will be working with law enforcement to go after anyone who is guilty of the crime of arson.”
National Weather Service (NWS) Los Angeles, said in an announcement on Sunday: “These winds combined with dry air and dry vegetation will keep the fire weather threat in the area. Continue to practice fire safety by avoiding work that creates sparks, report any smoke, and stay informed. Gather items you will need, should you be evacuated.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom said in a statement: “We are moving rapidly to support state and local law enforcement and firefighters to respond to the Eaton Fire threatening Altadena and Pasadena as extremely critical fire weather continues in Southern California. To all those in the region, remain vigilant and listen to local authorities.”
What Happens Next
While the investigation into the fire at Pioneer Park remains ongoing, the city of Azusa Public Works, along with Azusa Light and Water, are currently assessing the damage caused by the fire. According to Azusa police, this investigation will be presented to the Los Angeles County district attorney’s office for consideration of filing on all applicable criminal charges.
Critical fire weather conditions will persist through midweek as the Santa Ana winds intensify. The NWS predicts a potential respite by Thursday or Friday, with increased humidity and a slight chance of rain, offering hope for containment efforts.
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