Cal Fire Engineer Charged with Arson in Sonoma

Two individuals connected to California's wildfires are facing serious allegations of arson. Jason Alexander Hobby, a ranch employee, has been charged with multiple offenses including arson for the Alexander Mountain fire, which destroyed 28 homes and caused $32 million in damage. Meanwhile, Robert Hernandez, a Cal Fire engineer and former inmate firefighter, has been arrested for allegedly starting five brush fires near Healdsburg, Geyserville, and Windsor. Both cases highlight the troubling trend of arson in California, with nearly half of the acres burned this year attributed to suspected arson, equating to about 475,000 acres. As authorities continue to investigate, the cases raise concerns about public trust in firefighting programs, particularly regarding Hernandez's background as a previously incarcerated firefighter. The incidents come amid broader discussions about the implications of sentencing reforms and the risks they may pose to community safety.