Fire chief: Park fires ‘definitely arson’

Fire officials have been unable to determine who or what sparked two consecutive days of fires in Talbert Regional and Fairview parks this month, but it’s clear the blazes were set intentionally, according to the Costa Mesa Fire Department.

“It was definitely arson,” Costa Mesa Fire Chief Dan Stefano said Wednesday.

The investigation into the Jan. 15 and 16 blazes is essentially over though, Stefano said.

Investigators found no definitive ties among three small fires that burned about three-tenths of an acre in Fairview and Talbert parks Jan. 15 and a larger wind-driven fire that burned about three acres in Talbert on Jan. 16.

Officials are still accepting tips and may continue the investigation if anyone saw something suspicious.

“If any new information becomes available we’ll definitely open it up,” Stefano said.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Orange County Fire Authority at (855) TIP-OCCS or Costa Mesa’s hotline at (714) 754-5656.

— Jeremiah Dobruck

Twitter: @jeremiahdobruck