Suspect Accused of Setting 6 Fires Intentionally

One suspect is under arrest, accused of starting 6 vegetation fire over the past two days in the Tehachapi and Edison areas of Kern County. County fire says the largest blaze happened near the railroad tracks off the 58 Freeway and Tucker Road. That fire was contained to 55 acres. The others were smaller in size. No injuries. The suspect has not been identified.

Release from Kern County Fire:

Starting yesterday 9-12-19 at 1:30PM, through today 9-13-19 until 1:00PM, the Kern County Fire Department responded to 6 individual reports of vegetation fires in the Tehachapi and Edison areas of Kern County. The largest of these fires took place in Tehachapi yesterday near the railroad tracks at Hwy 58 and Tucker Rd. This fire was contained to 55 acres due to quick actions by firefighters and coordinated efforts by both ground and air resources. There were two air tankers and two helicopters making drops on multiple fires in the Tehachapi area. Crews remained on scene over night of the first fire mopping up hot spots. All fires in the Tehachapi area are fully extinguished.

Today starting around 11:30AM, the Kern County Fire Department responded to 3 more vegetation fires in the Edison area. All 3 fires were handled with single engines with the largest reaching 1/10th of an acre.

The cause of all 6 fires was determined to be arson. There were no injuries reported by civilians or firefighters.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: As of 4:30PM today, the Kern County Fire Department Arson Investigation Unit has arrested a suspect on 6 counts of arson for the 6 vegetation fires over the past two days in the Tehachapi and Edison areas.