Cal Fire Engineer Arrested for Arson in NorCal

Robert Hernandez, a 38-year-old Cal Fire apparatus engineer, has been arrested on suspicion of setting five fires in Northern California between August 15 and September 14, 2024. Hernandez allegedly started the fires while off duty in areas near Geyserville, Healdsburg, and Windsor. The fires, which burned less than an acre combined, were quickly contained thanks to the swift actions of residents and fire suppression teams. Cal Fire Director Joe Tyler expressed his dismay, stating that the actions tarnish the hard work of Cal Fire's 12,000 employees. Hernandez faces multiple counts of arson and is being held in Sonoma County Jail on $2 million bail. This incident adds to a concerning history of firefighter arson cases in the state.