A man was arrested in connection with a blaze in San Bernardino County on Wednesday afternoon as multiple wildfires continue to burn in Southern California and the region is under a red flag.
According to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District, crews responded to a rapidly spreading brush fire at Little Mountain Drive and West Edge Hill Road around 2 p.m. They were able to halt their advance shortly before 4 p.m., at which point the fire had grown to 34 acres.
San Bernardino Police also responded to the incident and subsequently arrested a man on two felony charges, including reckless arson.
San Bernardino: #SBCoFD Units are on scene of a vegetation fire at Little Mountain Drive x W Edge Hill Road. #LittleMountain The IC reports a rapid spread of light flashy fuel over approximately 30 acres. Structure threat in about 20 minutes. Second warning on the way. pic.twitter.com/3D3LFmuSBp
— San Bernardino County Fire (@SBCOUNTYFIRE) January 15, 2025
The incident comes on the heels of several recent arson arrests as Los Angeles battles two of the most destructive fires in California history, desperately trying to prevent further loss of property and life. This is causing a great deal of trouble for first responders.
On Monday, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell detailed three recent arson arrests. One suspect used a barbecue lighter to start a fire in North Hollywood, one suspect ignited brush in Sherman Oaks, and one suspect set fire to a trash can. Located in West LA
Last week, a transient man identified as Jose Carranza Escobar was arrested on suspicion of intentionally starting a fire in Azusa. He later admitted to the crime, police said. Additionally, Juan Sierra was arrested by the Los Angeles Police Department on Thursday and identified by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office as a “person of interest” in the Kenneth Fire.
The fire burned more than 1,000 acres in the Hidden Hills and mountains above Calabasas before reaching 100% containment Sunday, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.
The Little Mountain Fire in San Bernardino on Wednesday temporarily closed Little Mountain Drive from Edge Hill Drive to Sheridan Road. No injuries or damage to buildings were reported.
The fire started during a red flag warning that expired Wednesday night. Eric Sherwin with the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District said winds were blowing from the northeast near the fire site Wednesday afternoon at speeds of about 30 kilometers per hour.
Southern California remains under an elevated fire danger that began on January 7, when the Palisades and Eaton fires broke out. With the red flag warning expiring on Wednesday, winds are expected to calm down for the rest of the week.
But calmer winds returned to the Los Angeles area starting Sunday night and are expected to continue through much of next week, according to the National Weather Service.
