Crime & Safety

IE's Little Mountain Fire Caused By 'Reckless Burning,' 1 Arrested

Police arrested a man suspected of starting the Wednesday blaze and charged him with reckless burning based on probable cause.

One man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of igniting the Little Mountain Fire in San Bernardino, police say.
One man was arrested Wednesday on suspicion of igniting the Little Mountain Fire in San Bernardino, police say. (Photo Credit: San Bernardino Police Dept.)

INLAND EMPIRE, CA — San Bernardino Police Department investigators arrested one man on suspicion of igniting the Little Mountain Fire Wednesday, officials announced.

He was being held on felony charges of "reckless burning," police said. The suspect's name and booking information were not immediately released.

The Little Mountain Fire ignited around 2 p.m., scorching 34 acres in minutes and threatening nearby homes near Little Mountain Drive and West Edgehill Road, according to Cal Fire and the San Bernardino County Fire Department.

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Crews quickly controlled the blaze, stopping its progress in under an hour. According to San Bernardino Police, the cause of the fire was suspected arson.

"Through further investigation, officers arrested an adult male for two felony charges, one Reckless Burning, based on probable cause," police reported.

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Police and fire personnel remained at the scene for several hours.

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