California firefighter arrested and accused of setting 5 fires in Sonoma County

According to the agency, a North Bay Cal Fire employee was arrested for arson.

Robert Hernandez, 38, is accused of setting five fires on forest land in Sonoma County since August while on duty. The Healdsburg man was arrested Friday morning at the Howard Forest Fire Station near Fair Oaks.

“I am appalled that one of our employees would abuse the public’s trust and attempt to tarnish the tireless work of the 12,000 women and men of CAL FIRE,” said Joe Tyler, Cal Fire Director and Fire Chief.

According to a press release, Hernandez, an equipment engineer, started the Alexander Fire on August 15, the Windsor River Road Fire on September 8, the Geysers Fire on September 12 and the Geyser and Kinley Fires on September 14 – all on forested lands in the Geyserville, Healdsburg and Windsor areas.

In total, the fires burned less than one hectare of wilderness area, the press release said, “due to the quick actions of local residents and firefighting resources.”

“CAL FIRE would like to thank residents of the affected communities for their vigilance and information that contributed to the capture of the suspect,” it said.

Hernandez was booked into the Sonoma County Jail around noon Friday and is scheduled to appear in court next Tuesday. He is charged with five counts of arson.