• Four individuals were arrested in separate incidents across Los Angeles County for  allegedly attempting to ignite new fires during the ongoing wildfire crisis.
• The four accused individuals face charges of arson, with one of them potentially facing up to nine years in prison.
• These arrests come as the Palisades and Eaton wildfires rage on after claiming 25 lives, destroying over 5,000 homes and businesses and displacing tens of thousands.
• The arrests also come as authorities continue to investigate the origins of the ongoing wildfires.

As the death toll from the devastating Palisades and Eaton wildfires in Los Angeles County climbed to 25, authorities announced the arrest of four individuals accused of attempting to ignite new fires during the ongoing crisis.

The four suspects, apprehended in Azusa, North Hollywood, Van Nuys and West LA, face arson charges that could carry significant prison sentences. (Related: L.A. wildfires cause $250 billion in damages, becoming one of the costliest disasters in U.S. history.)

Among them, Jose Gerardo Escobar stands accused of intentionally setting a fire in Azusa, just east of the Eaton Fire. If convicted, he could face up to nine years behind bars.

Another suspect allegedly used a barbecue lighter to spark flames in North Hollywood, while a third was caught lighting brush on fire in Van Nuys.

The fourth suspect was arrested for igniting a trash can in West LA. Surveillance footage from local businesses played a critical role in identifying the suspect, prompting police to urge residents to review their security cameras for any evidence of suspicious activity.

These arrests come as firefighters battle two of the most destructive wildfires in recent memory. The Palisades Fire, which began on Jan. 7, has already consumed over 5,000 homes and businesses, while the Eaton Fire has left a trail of devastation in its wake. The fires, fueled by Santa Ana winds and drought-stricken vegetation, have displaced thousands and left dozens missing.

Authorities still unsure how the wildfires started in the first place

But as authorities grapple with these arrests, the larger question of what caused the Palisades Fire still looms over the horizon, with speculation considering everything from arson to government negligence.

Investigators have zeroed in on the Temescal Ridge Trail near Skull Rock, a popular hiking destination in Pacific Palisades, as the potential ignition point. The area, which had previously burned in a smaller fire on New Year’s Day, is now the focus of a meticulous investigation. Charred utility poles, shattered glass and remnants of electrical equipment litter the site, offering clues but no definitive answers.

The New Year’s fire, believed to have been sparked by fireworks, was declared contained after burning eight acres. However, the possibility that smoldering embers from that blaze reignited days later cannot be ruled out.

Researchers have long documented cases of wildfires rekindling from buried organic material, sometimes days or even weeks after the initial flames were extinguished. This phenomenon, known as a “rekindle,” has been linked to some of the deadliest fires in history, including the 1991 Oakland Hills firestorm and more recently during the Maui wildfire in 2023.

For now, the cause of the Palisades Fire remains a mystery. LA Police Department Assistant Chief Dominic Choi emphasized that no possibilities have been ruled out, including arson.

“There has been no definitive determination that it is arson at this point, but we’re looking at every angle,” Choi said.

Watch this episode of “Brighteon Broadcast News” as Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, speculates over whether the wildfires can serve as a wake-up call for the people of California.

This video is from the Health Ranger Report channel on Brighteon.com.

More related stories:

California in crisis: Mike Adams forecasts five paths to state collapse.

Newsom faces scrutiny over reservoir claims amid wildfire crisis.

Is LOS ANGELES getting PURPOSELY BURNED to the ground in order to start a SMART CITY in a few years? Take a look at the evidence piling up that supports this.

State Farm cancels thousands of home insurance policies in the Pacific Palisades region months before deadly fires.

Insurance exodus and wildfire fallout: California’s crisis deepens.

Sources include:

NYPost.com

NYTimes.com

LATimes.com

Brighteon.com