US Firefighter Arrested for Setting Wildfires in California

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Committing a Crime on a Day Off

Amid the devastating wildfires that have ravaged California this year, a firefighter has been arrested for deliberately setting a wildfire.

The California State Fire Department announced the arrest of Robert Hernandez, a 38-year-old fire equipment engineer, on charges of starting fires on mountains and other areas five times over the past month.

Hernandez is accused of setting fires in Sonoma County, Northern California, from July 15 to 14. Sonoma County is near Napa Valley, famous for its wineries.

Hernandez committed the crime on a day he was not working. The specific motive for the crime is unknown. Fortunately, the fires started by Hernandez were extinguished before spreading beyond an acre (about 4,000 m2), the fire department explained.

The fire department said, “The quick action of the residents and the firefighters helped minimize the damage caused by the fire.” “We are appalled that one of our own would betray the public’s trust and tarnish the tireless efforts of 12,000 of our colleagues,” Fire Chief Joe Tyler said.

According to CNN, more than 100 firefighters are arrested for arson each year.

Related Topics

• Wildfires in California
• Firefighter arrested for arson
• California State Fire Department

Reporter: Choi Young-chan