'Senseless Acts': Man Charged With Arson In Chatsworth Wildfire

SAN FERNANDO, CA — A 41-year-old arson suspect apprehended by bystanders in Chatsworth Monday was charged with two felony counts stemming from a 100-acre brush fire near the Chatsworth Reservoir, Los Angeles County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announced Thursday.

Alejandro Martinez, who was arrested by sheriff's deputies after bystanders followed him from the scene of the fire and detained him, faces one count of felony arson of a structure or forest and one count of felony attempt to burn with an aggravated circumstance of increasing seriousness of prior convictions, according to the DA's office.

“As we continue to recover from the devastation of recent wildfires, this case is a stark reminder of the grave threat alleged arsonists pose to our communities,” District Attorney Hochman said. “We have seen firsthand the destruction, displacement, and loss of life caused by these senseless acts. Let me be clear — if you intentionally set fire to our land, endanger our residents, and threaten our first responders, we will prosecute you to the fullest extent of the law.”

The fire was reported Monday just after 4:30 p.m. Monday in the 24000 block of Woolsey Canyon Road in Chatsworth. Deputies and firefighters arrived on scene to find a group of witnesses detaining the suspect who, was being held prone on the ground, according to the sheriff's department.

"The witnesses pointed to the suspect, and told deputies they witnessed him lighting a brush fire near Knapp Ranch Road and Woolsey Canyon Road," according to the Sheriff's Information Bureau. "The witnesses stated the suspect lit the fire and left the location. The witnesses followed in their vehicle. The suspect eventually surrendered, placing himself in the prone position."

The Los Angeles County Fire Department quickly extinguished the blaze, and deputies arrested Martinez on suspicion of arson, a sheriff's department spokeswoman told Patch.

He faces a maximum sentence of six years, eight months in prison if convicted. Martinez’s bail was set at $175,000.