October 17, 2025 - LOS ANGELES — The man arrested on suspicion of deliberately setting the blaze that would spark one of the most destructive wildfires in Los Angeles history was indicted on three arson-related charges on Wednesday, adding two felonies to the criminal case he already faced in federal court

October 2, 2025 - Justin Halstenberg of Norco was sentenced to 16 years to life in prison on Wednesday for igniting the Line fire in Highland in 2024, which led to six firefighter injuries and 44,000 acres of San Bernardino County mountains being scorched.

Wildfires caused by arson.

This is consistent with our expectations, as wildfires can · reduce landscape fuels, providing the prospective arsonists

California State Parks announced today the arrest of a suspect on a charge of felony arson related to a brush fire that ignited on Jan. 8 near Leo Carrillo State Park (SP) in Los Angeles County. The region has been under a red flag warning, with severe fire danger intensified by powerful Santa Ana winds, which have fueled multiple destructive wildfires across Southern California.

January 27, 2025 - While "copycat arson" is a known phenomenon and experts admit arsonists may have begun smaller fires that followed the Palisades blaze and the similarly destructive Eaton Fire (now 98% contained) in Pasadena, people are probably not responsible for the initial conflagrations.

While fictional arsonists are depicted ... in rapid succession, real-life arsonists are usually unskilled offenders who use matches or other simple devices to set small fires that may escalate in frequency and severity....

April 24, 2025 - Joseph Kling, 19, of Ocean Township, New Jersey, is charged with aggravated arson and arson in connection to the massive Jones Road wildfire.

April 25, 2025 - Joseph Kling, 19, is charged with arson in the Ocean County, N.J.​ wildfire that has scorched more than 15,000 acres.

Forest arson should be reported by calling the Target Arson Hotline at 1-800-27-ARSON. Notifiers may remain anonymous and may be eligible for a cash reward of up to $1,000 if the information provided leads to the arrest and indictment of an arsonist.

September 18, 2024 - Halstenberg’s mother, Connie Halstenberg, told the Los Angeles Times on Saturday that there were things that her son has done that she does not approve of but said that “he is not an arsonist”. Prosecutors said additional charges may be filed for any further structure damage or injuries as the fire continues. Authorities have said Halstenberg’s vehicle has been tied to areas where the fires were started on 5 September. The Line fire has threatened more than 65,000 homes and injured four firefighters. It is one of three wildfires that exploded across southern California this month following a triple-digit heatwave.

March 18, 2025 - The arrest of Gary Maynard, a former criminal justice professor who allegedly went on a fire-setting spree near Lassen National Forest in an effort to trap crews fighting the Dixie Fire the month before, prompted warnings about the “potent threat” of an arsonist’s match as the state grapples with megafires. Most wildfires are started by humans – downed powerlines, an unattended campfire, a flat tire that sends sparks into dry brush.

December 11, 2025 - Authorities arrest arson suspects amid devastating LA wildfires

February 6, 2025 - But those charged were not accused of sparking the devastating wildfires.

16 hours ago - The Georgia Forestry Commission has published a press release today, announcing the arrest of a man in connection to starting at least 17 wildfires across two states.

October 16, 2025 - The revelations — unveiled in a criminal complaint and attached affidavit Wednesday charging the alleged arsonist, Jonathan Rinderknecht — raise questions about what the Los Angeles Fire Department could have done to prevent the conflagration.

July 30, 2024 - A California man accused of deliberately starting what has become the largest active wildfire in the country has been formally charged with felony arson, court records show.

September 21, 2024 - Robert Hernandez, a Cal Fire employee, is suspected of starting five blazes in recent weeks in the US state.

Wildfires in California which were caused by arson.