California Firefighter Arrested for Arson in Wine Country
CALIFORNIA — In a shocking turn of events, a California firefighter has been taken into custody on suspicion of arson linked to a string of small fires in the picturesque wine country.
The accused, identified as 38-year-old Robert Hernandez, serves as a Cal Fire apparatus engineer and stands accused of igniting five fires while off-duty between August 15 and September 14.
According to a press release by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire), the fires were strategically set in areas surrounding Geyserville, Healdsburg, and Windsor. Although the fires collectively charred less than an acre of wildland, swift action by vigilant residents and fire suppression resources prevented further devastation.
Notably, the region north of San Francisco has been no stranger to fierce wildfires in recent years, with the notorious 2017 Tubbs Fire being a stark reminder of the destructive power of nature. The Tubbs Fire tragically claimed 22 lives and razed nearly 6,000 homes and businesses to the ground.
As of this year, California has witnessed close to one million acres scorched by wildfires, with fast-spreading infernos in Southern California posing imminent threats to tens of thousands of homes. The situation has forced thousands to evacuate from the foothills of San Bernardino County, underscoring the ongoing battle against nature’s wrath. — Agencies
