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Cal Fire engineer arrested, suspected of setting fire while off duty

MINUTES. OK. SOUNDS GOOD. HEATHER. THANKS. WELL, A CAL FIRE EMPLOYEE IS ARRESTED AFTER BEING ACCUSED OF INTERFERING WITH SEVERAL FIRES IN THE LINE OF HIS OFFICE. CAL FIRE OFFICERS TODAY ARRESTED 38-YEAR-OLD ROBERT HERNANDEZ. HE IS CHARGED WITH INTERFERING WITH FIVE FIRES IN THE LAST MONTH AND A HALF ON FORESTLANDS IN THE GEYSERVILLE, HEALDSBURG AND WINDSOR AREA. CAL FIRE SAYS EACH OF THESE FIRES BURNED LESS THAN ONE ACRE. NEIGHBORHOODS AND FIRE TEAMS WORKED FAST TO EXTINGUISH THESE FIRES AND HERNANDEZ WAS B

Cal Fire engineer arrested on suspicion of off-duty arson

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has arrested one of its own employees suspected of setting five different fires while off duty. On Friday, officers arrested 38-year-old Robert Hernandez at the Howard Forest Fire Station in Mendocino County, according to Cal Fire. Hernandez, a native of Healdsburg, is an equipment engineer with Cal Fire. He is suspected of setting the Alexander Fire, Windsor River Road Fire, Geysers Fire, Geyser Fire and Kinley Fire. All of the fires were set within a month — from Aug. 15 to Sept. 14. Cal Fire said all five fires combined burned less than an acre of forest land. Hernandez will be booked into the Sonoma County Jail on a charge of arson in forested areas. Here are important websites of importance to all Californians during wildfire season. Cal Fire Wildfire Incidents: Cal Fire tracks its wildfire incidents here. You can sign up to receive text messages with Cal Fire updates on wildfires near your zip code here.Cal Fire SCU: This is the agency responding to the Patterson Fire.Statewide wildfire incidents: Statewide wildfire incidents are tracked here.Prepare for power outages: Ready.gov explains how to prepare for a power outage and what to do when you return from one here. Learn how to report, track and report power outages to PG&E here.Stay informed if you're without power or cell reception: How to find a National Weather Service radio station near you.Be prepared for road closures: Download Caltrans' QuickMap app or check the latest QuickMap road conditions here.10:33Lindsay WeberFind more coverage of California's top news here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter

The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has arrested one of its own employees on suspicion of setting five different fires while off duty.

According to Cal Fire, officials arrested 38-year-old Robert Hernandez on Friday at the Howard Forest Fire Station in Mendocino County.

Hernandez, a Healdsburg native and equipment engineer with Cal Fire, is suspected of starting the Alexander Fire, the Windsor River Road Fire, the Geysers Fire, the Geyser Fire and the Kinley Fire.

All fires were set within one month – from August 15 to September 14.

Cal Fire said all five fires combined burned less than an acre of forest land. Hernandez is booked into the Sonoma County Jail on a charge of arson on forest land.

Here are important websites that are important to all Californians during wildfire season.

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