{"id":421157,"date":"2026-08-01T22:00:11","date_gmt":"2026-08-01T22:00:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/421157\/"},"modified":"2026-08-01T22:00:11","modified_gmt":"2026-08-01T22:00:11","slug":"homeless-madman-busted-for-sparking-california-wine-country-wildfire-as-police-probe-arson-scourge","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/421157\/","title":{"rendered":"Homeless madman busted for sparking California wine country wildfire as police probe arson scourge"},"content":{"rendered":"

A homeless madman is accused of intentionally sparking a blaze in Northern California<\/a> Wine Country as police revealed they are investigating a staggering amount of arson-related blazes.<\/p>\n

The Santa Rosa Police Department<\/a> said a 32-year-old homeless man was arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the fire that spread east of Fulton Road off of Highway 12 in Sonoma County on Thursday.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A homeless man is accused of intentionally sparking a blaze in Northern California’s Wine Country.<\/p>\n

A Santa Rosa Fire Department inspector said he saw the suspect covered in soot and tossing out a lighter near the area of the fire, NBC News Bay Area <\/a>reported.<\/p>\n

“Thanks to the quick response of firefighters, the fire was contained to approximately 50 by 70 feet before it could spread further,” the police department said.<\/p>\n

The suspect was busted for a probation violation, according to police.<\/p>\n

Authorities said it marked the sixth arson-related arrest in Santa Rosa connected to recent fire investigations.<\/p>\n

An earlier notice<\/a> stated that since June 30, fire and police investigators have “responded to more than 30 vegetation and suspicious fires throughout the city, with at least 17 believed to have been intentionally set.”<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The Santa Rosa Police Department said a 32-year-old transient was arrested on suspicion of arson in connection with the fire that spread east of Fulton Road off of Highway 12 in Sonoma County.<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

A Santa Rosa Fire Department inspector said he saw a man covered with soot on his body, tossing a lighter into the vegetation near the area of the fire, NBC News Bay Area reported.<\/p>\n

\"The<\/p>\n

The arrest comes after fire crews in the county recently were able to make forward progress on the Woodside Fire, a wildfire<\/a> burning off Highway 1 at Timber Cove. Cal Fire Sonoma-Lake-Napa Unit.<\/p>\n

\"Crews<\/p>\n

Crews have been able to make progress on it thanks to favorable weather conditions, with the fire currently 40% contained, per CAL Fire. KRON 4 NEWS<\/p>\n

“As dry conditions continue, SRFD and SRPD encourage community members to remain vigilant and report suspicious activity,” the post read.<\/p>\n

“Your awareness and timely reporting play a critical role in preventing larger fires and keeping Santa Rosa safe.”<\/p>\n

Highway 12 \u2014 also known as the Valley of the Moon Highway \u2014 is home to acres of rolling vineyards belonging to dozens of wineries.<\/p>\n

The arrest comes after fire crews in the county recently were able to make forward progress on the Woodside Fire, a wildfire<\/a> burning off Highway 1 at Timber Cove.<\/p>\n

The fire was first reported around 1:40 p.m. on Thursday, and has burned<\/a> through more than 150 acres while prompting evacuations.<\/p>\n

Crews have been able to make progress on it thanks to what officials called favorable weather conditions, with the fire currently 40% contained, according to CAL FIRE<\/a>.<\/p>\n

“Today resources will focus on locating hot spots throughout the fire and work on reinforcing the containment lines along highway 1,” a post on X <\/a>on Saturday read.<\/p>\n

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