Redlands fires called arson

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Redlands:

At least two vegetation fires set within minutes of each other in Redlands earlier this week were the work of an arsonist, San Bernardino County authorities said today.

In the first incident, firefighters were called to a reported fire around 7:30 a.m. yesterday in vegetation near Helen Drive and Kristin Court. They quickly extinguished the blaze before it could spread to a brush-filled canyon area.

Minutes later, another fire was reported blocks away on Miradero Drive. An off-duty Redlands police officer quickly extinguished that fire too.

Redlands fire investigators determined that both blazes were intentionally set.

Authorities said witnesses at both fires reported seeing a silver or light gray pickup truck with a large spare tire in the area. The driver is described as a white male in his 20s, with short, sandy blond hair and dark clothing.

Redlands officials ask anyone with information to contact Redlands Fire Department arson investigators at (909) 798-7600.

--Andrew Blankstein