According to data from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CalFire), there have been at least 110 arson suspects arrested so far this year, just surpassing last year’s arson-related arrests (111 individuals), but a decrease from the 162 arrests made in 2022.
Since 2020, the number of arson incidents in California has surged, compared to an average of nearly 70 cases in the previous five years. Arson incidents account for approximately 11% of all wildfire causes statewide.
On October 19th, CalFire law enforcement officers arrested Gary Kevin Fuller, suspected of arson along Highway 162 in Butte County, located about 70 miles north of Sacramento in Northern California.
Fuller, hailing from Oroville, is facing two separate arson charges. CalFire received reports on October 19th of two brush fires in an unplanned area of Butte County. Due to lush vegetation growth following spring rains, California’s terrain has been particularly prone to rapid spreading vegetation fires this year.
Information provided by a witness connected the suspect in the first fire to the second blaze. Shortly after, Fuller was located and detained by Butte County authorities based on the descriptions provided.
Authorities stated that Fuller was arrested and charged with arson based on evidence found at the scene and on the suspect.
In recent months, several major wildfires in California have been intentionally ignited.
The Park Fire that broke out in July is believed to have been started by Ronnie Dean Stout II near Chico, consuming nearly 430,000 acres of land.
Stout, a 42-year-old man, is accused of pushing a burning vehicle into a dry ravine, igniting the Park Fire. Stout pleaded not guilty to the charges, and the case is ongoing.
The Line Fire that erupted in September, scorching nearly 44,000 acres in San Bernardino County, was also deliberately set ablaze.
Arson suspect Justin Wayne Halstenberg was arrested in September, facing eleven counts of arson and other charges. Halstenberg has pleaded not guilty, and the case is still ongoing.
Currently, at least five wildfires (including the Line Fire) are still burning in various counties including Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Shasta, Tulare, and Kern.
Based on the average data from CalFire over the past five years, around 7,000 wildfires strike California annually, consuming nearly 1.3 million acres.
Since 2016, wildfire losses have amounted to billions of dollars, significantly impacting California’s housing industry and disrupting the state’s insurance market. Homeowners and renters are facing what is known as the “affordability and availability crisis.”