A California firefighter has been arrested by one of their own after being accused of setting five fires in the state’s wine country in recent weeks.
Robert Matthew Hernandez, a 38-year-old fire technician from Healdsburg, California, was arrested Friday by Cal Fire police officers on suspicion of arson at the Howard Forest Fire Station in Mendocino County.
His arrest comes as his fellow firefighters continue to battle the flames that have burned nearly a million acres this year and forced thousands of people across the state to evacuate.
Hernandez was accused of setting five fires between Aug. 15 and Sept. 14 while off-duty in forest land near Geyserville, Healdsburg and Windsor, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).
Examples include the Alexander Fire on August 15, the Windsor River Road Fire on September 8, the Geysers Fire on September 12, and the Geyser and Kinley Fires on September 14.
Robert Matthew Hernandez, pictured, a 38-year-old California firefighter, has been arrested after being accused of setting five fires in the state’s wine country in recent weeks
The arrest comes as his fellow firefighters continue to battle the flames that have burned nearly a million acres this year and forced the evacuations of thousands of people across the state.
“I was shocked to learn that one of our employees would violate the public trust and attempt to tarnish the tireless work of the 12,000 women and men of Cal Fire,” Joe Tyler, the agency’s director and fire chief, said in a statement.
Hernandez is believed to have set the fire in Sonoma County, known for its wines and vineyards.
According to the fire department, all fires were extinguished by firefighters and less than a hectare was burned thanks to the quick action of residents and firefighters.
Thanks to the residents’ “vigilance,” the agency was able to help arrest Hernandez.
A Cal Fire spokesperson said the agency would not provide further details at this time and that the motive is unclear.
Hernandez is a technician at the agency, responsible for operating and maintaining fire trucks and water tanks during emergencies.
Division Chief Cyndi Foreman said, “It’s a bitter pill to swallow for all of us. Those who are supposed to be out in the community protecting us. But they’re putting us all at risk.”
Hernandez was arrested Friday by Cal Fire officers on suspicion of arson at the Howard Forest fire station, pictured
He was formally charged with five counts of arson on forest land. Hernandez was being held Saturday in the Sonoma County Jail pending $2 million bail, according to the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office. Hernandez is expected in court Tuesday.
His ex-wife, who did not want to give her name, said she was “speechless” when she heard of the allegations.
“I’m 100 percent in shock,” she said ABC7. “It’s a bitter pill to swallow for all of us,”
Division Chief Cyndi Foreman of the Sonoma County Fire District said, “That’s someone who’s supposed to be out in the community protecting us. But they’re putting us all at risk.”
Meanwhile, wildfires continue to rage across the state.
Three fires in the mountains around Los Angeles have destroyed more than 230 homes and other buildings, forcing tens of thousands of people to flee their suburbs and cities since Sept. 5.
According to data from Cal Fire, California’s wildfires have burned nearly four times as much land so far this year as they did last year, when the state’s fire season was less severe.
According to climate scientists, bone-dry vegetation due to record heat is causing worse forest fires. Climate change is the cause of the forest fires.
The National Volunteer Fire Council notes that there is no national system for collecting data on arson by firefighters.
“Without an official source for data on firefighter arsonists, researchers, fire leaders, and investigators are forced to make extrapolations based on samples of known cases,” the report said. ‘A study of news articles shows that more than 100 firefighters are arrested for arson each year.’
According to the agency, Cal Fire officers have arrested 91 suspected arsonists this year through Sept. 1.
It was thanks to the residents’ “vigilance” that the agency was able to help capture Hernandez, whose fire burned less than a hectare in total
According to the agency, Cal Fire officers have arrested 91 suspected arsonists as of Sept. 1 of this year. Above, firefighters are working to contain the July Park Fire, which began with arson
Last Tuesday, a delivery man pleaded not guilty until the massive Line Fire broke out on September 5. The fire forced the evacuation of thousands of people east of Los Angeles, injured one firefighter, and destroyed a home.
Court documents show Justin Wayne Halstenberg, 34, has been charged with 11 arson-related offenses.
According to authorities, Halstenberg, of Norco, attempted to set three fires within an hour.
Two of the fires were extinguished by firefighters and a Good Samaritan, and a third, the Line Fire, which has charred 61 square miles in the San Bernardino Mountains, was 60 percent contained by Saturday.
In July, a man was arrested on suspicion of starting the Park Fire in Northern California, in which he pushed a burning car into a ditch.
Ronnie Dean Stout was charged with arson of an occupied structure or property. He pleaded not guilty.