Former Volunteer Firefighter Is Charged With Arson

A 21-year-old former volunteer firefighter was arraigned Wednesday on seven felony counts of arson, stemming from brush fires in rural parts of northern San Diego County.

Among the fires that Steven Robles Jr. of Escondido is suspecting of starting was an Aug. 1 blaze that burned 457 acres and destroyed 11 homes and several vehicles in the Lake Wohlford area.

Robles, who pleaded not guilty, is being held in lieu of $5-million bail.

He was arrested without incident Tuesday night at an Escondido car dealership where he works as a shuttle driver. The arrest comes amid increased concern in rural areas about fire, with overgrown brush turning brittle and flammable by a prolonged period of hot, dry weather.

Robles was reportedly spotted by California Department of Forestry investigators while starting a fire. His home, car and the home of his girlfriend were searched after his arrest.

The fires were allegedly set with time-delay devices that allowed the arsonist to be miles away before flames erupt. One of the fires Robles is accused of setting burned 1,100 areas in the Del Dios area near Lake Hodges and forced the evacuation of hundreds of homeowners in late September.

As fire season has approached, the Forestry Department formed a task force to catch arsonists. A $30,000 reward for information was posted.

Officials said that even with the arrest of Robles, the threat of arson continues. Several recent fires, including one this week, were set by flares being thrown into brush. Robles is not a suspect in those cases, which means at least one arsonist is still on the loose, officials said.

Robles was a volunteer firefighter with the San Pasqual Volunteer Fire Department until a year ago. Officials said Robles had been dismissed but declined to give the reason.

He also was in the California Conservation Corps, which assists in firefighting, and is a volunteer for a county agency responsible for clearing brush in remote areas.

At a brief court hearing, no motive for the crimes was suggested.