Man arrested after 2 Northern California vegetation fires erupt on same day: Cal Fire

An Oroville man accused of igniting two fires Friday just hours apart in Northern California was arrested by Cal Fire and is now facing arson charges.

Authorities were alerted Friday morning to the first vegetation fire near Highway 162, also known as Olive Highway, and Arbol Avenue, in unincorporated Butte County, according to a news release from Cal Fire.

Cal Fire began investigating the fire’s origin as it was contained. Witnesses gave a description of a possible suspect, the release said.

A second fire erupted at Highway 162 and Foothill Boulevard about 90 minutes later. Witnesses at the scene described a man similar to suspect in the first incident, the release said.

Butte County Sheriff’s Office deputies observed a person who matched both descriptions and detained him as Cal Fire firefighters arrived to douse flames at the second site, the release said.

The man was arrested based on “witness statements, evidence recovered at the scene, and evidence recovered on the individual,” the release said.

The man faces two counts of arson, Cal Fire said.

Anyone with more information about these two fires is asked to call Cal Fire at 530-538-7888 or the statewide arson hotline at 1-800-468-4408.

This story was originally published October 19, 2024 at 4:12 PM.