Arson arrest made in connection to California fire

Weather helps weary California firefighters
CNN
Firefighters are winning the battle against wildfires
By Kisa Mlela Santiago and Michael Martinez
May 17, 2014

LOS ANGELES (CNN) —Firefighters in Southern California seemed Saturday to be winning the fight against the half dozen wildfires still burning.

Despite the reduction in winds, most of San Diego County continues to experience hot temperatures which, combined with dry conditions, allowed for at least one new wildfire to ignite.

According to Cal Fire, a new 30-acre blaze began burning Saturday in Sycamore Canyon, inland from San Diego.

Firefighters were able to stop it from spreading farther and no structures were threatened.

On and around the Marine Corps' Camp Pendleton, six large wildfires remain active, having burned over 25,000 acres total.

Arson arrests

Investigators have filed an arson charge against a man in one small fire in the county.

At a news conference, the prosecutor identified him as Alberto Serrato, who's accused of adding brush onto an existing fire, District Attorney Bonnie Dumanis said.

Serrato could face up to seven years in prison if convicted, Dumanis said Friday.

Neither Serrato nor his attorney were immediately available for comment.

Meanwhile, the prosecutor is weighing whether to press charges against a 19-year-old man and 17-year-old juvenile, both of Escondido, who were arrested Thursday in connection with a small fire that was extinguished, Dumanis said.
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