California Firefighter Accused of Igniting Wildfires in Wine Country, According to Reuters

By Rich McKay

A firefighter from California has been arrested and is facing accusations of setting five wildfires in the state’s renowned wine country. This comes as fellow firefighters are engaged in battling blazes that have scorched nearly a million acres and prompted widespread evacuations throughout California this year.

Robert Matthew Hernandez, a 38-year-old fire apparatus engineer from Healdsburg, was taken into custody on Friday on suspicion of arson. Authorities allege that he ignited five separate fires while off duty between August 15 and September 14, according to a statement from the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire).

Joe Tyler, director and fire chief of Cal Fire, expressed his dismay, stating, "I am appalled to learn one of our employees would violate the public’s trust and attempt to tarnish the tireless work of the 12,000 women and men of Cal Fire." It remains unclear if Hernandez has secured legal representation.

The incidents occurred in Sonoma County, which is famous for its wine production. All five fires were subdued quickly by firefighting crews, burning less than one acre in total, the fire agency reported. A spokesperson from Cal Fire indicated that no additional details would be available at this time, and the motive behind the alleged acts remains unknown.

Hernandez has been formally charged with five counts of arson to forest land and is currently held in the Sonoma County Jail with bail set at $2 million, as confirmed by the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office.

Meanwhile, wildfires continue to blaze across California. Three significant fires in the mountainous areas surrounding Los Angeles have destroyed over 230 homes and other structures, leading to the evacuation of tens of thousands of residents since early September.

This year, California wildfires have ravaged almost four times more land compared to the same period last year when the state’s fire season was notably less severe. Climate scientists attribute the increased severity of fires to extremely dry vegetation and record heat exacerbated by climate change.