California wildfires: Azusa arsonist not tied to major fires, officials say

A man has been charged with arson after intentionally starting a fire in Azusa, LA County DA Nathan Hochman said. 

Jose Gerardo Escobar, 39, was charged with one count each of felony arson; arson during a state of emergency; and attempted arson. He is being held on $20,000 bail. 

If convicted as charged, he faces nine years in state prison.

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According to the DA's office, on Jan. 10 around 11:30 p.m., Escobar attempted to light a large tree on fire that had fallen to the ground at Pioneer Park.

Escobar was arrested at the scene. 

Officials said Escobar is not tied to any of the major wildfires that burned in Southern California. 

Azusa Police Chief Rocky Wenrick commended the community for being observant and reporting suspicious activity. 

"At that time the park had lost a lot of trees that were down. The city had started its cleanup process, made big piles of lumber and bushes in there, all piled up, which made something for somebody to come by and say ‘Hey look at that, that could be a great place to light a fire or cause some damage.’ The park was just 100 yards from the base of the San Gabriel Mountains," Chief Wenrick said. 

AzusaCrime and Public Safety