Man arrested on suspicion of arson in series of Calif. roadside fires

By Rosalio Ahumada
Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.)

NEVADA COUNTY, Calif. — Authorities arrested a Nevada County man on suspicion of arson after he was seen Monday night fleeing the area of a series of roadside fires, Cal Fire officials said.

The 43-year-old Penn Valley man was arrested on suspicion of five counts of arson and was booked at the Nevada County Jail, where he was being held until his arraignment, the Cal Fire Nevada-Yuba-Placer Unit announced Tuesday in a news release. Cal Fire officials did not release the arrested man’s name.

Five roadside fires were intentionally ignited along a 2.5-mile stretch of the road in the foothill community of Penn Valley. The first fire was reported about 9:40 p.m. Monday, followed by the subsequent roadside fires, Cal Fire said.

Investigators were looking for witnesses who on Monday night were in the area from Englebright Dam to Lake Wildwood in Penn Valley.

Multiple local firefighting agencies helped Cal Fire firefighters contain and extinguish the roadside fires. Cal Fire officials did not indicate in the news release along which road the five fires were started or the size of the fires.

Late Monday, a Cal Fire law enforcement officer, assisted by the Nevada County Sheriff’s Office, arrested the arson suspect. Cal Fire officials said the investigation into the roadside fires was still ongoing.

Investigators asked anyone with information or who on Monday night was in the area from Englebright Dam to Lake Wildwood in Penn Valley to call Cal Fire Investigations at 530-889-0111 ext. 1022.

Trending

Safety

Baltimore fire unions raise safety, funding concerns over new 911 diversion plan

Fire union leaders fear removing police from nonviolent 911 calls could endanger first responders if situations turn dangerous, as finance officials warn the $16.8 million Department of Neighborhood Safety could exhaust opioid settlement funding by 2032

October 31, 2026 08:00 AM

Electric Vehicles & Fire Apparatus

Former FDNY commissioner urges N.Y. to block driverless cars over safety fears

Salvatore Cassano is urging Gov. Kathy Hochul and the Legislature to keep driverless cars off New York streets, citing warnings about autonomous vehicles interfering with police and firefighters at emergency scenes nationwide

October 31, 2026 12:00 PM

Mass Gathering

Calif. first responders train for mass casualty scenarios ahead of Sikh Parade

About 15 regional firefighters and EMTs practiced triaging simulated patients ahead of the Nov. 1 Sikh Parade, which draws roughly 150,000 attendees to a city of 70,000, with no other equipped hospital within 45 miles

November 01, 2026 08:00 AM

Wildfire and Wildland-Urban Interface

Colo. city sets 2030 goal to harden 20% of homes in highest wildfire risk areas

Boulder plans to spend up to $10.25 million annually on voluntary wildfire hardening efforts across 12 western neighborhoods, as officials debate whether to eventually require hardening measures rather than relying on homeowner participation

November 01, 2026 12:00 PM

___

(c)2024 the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.)
Visit the Merced Sun-Star (Merced, Calif.) at www.mercedsunstar.com
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.