Arrest made in connection to Flora fire in Geyserville

SONOMA COUNTY, Calif. – Cal Fire said its law enforcement officers have arrested an Anderson man for causing a wildland fire near Geyserville on Wednesday.

Justin Roy Jones, 44, was booked into the Sonoma County Jail in Santa Rosa at approximately 7:25 p.m. Wednesday and charged with two felony counts, Cal Fire reported.

He was arrested in connection to the cause of the 36-acre Flora Fire Wednesday off Chalk Hill Road in northern Sonoma County, authorities said.

Cal Fire arrested Jones for violations of Penal Code § 452 (c) for unlawfully and recklessly starting a fire to any structure, forestland or property, and Penal Code § 1203.2 for violating terms of his probation.

Authorities said Jones was observed driving his truck with no right front tire for over four miles, creating sparks as the truck grinded on the asphalt.

This caused three separate fires along Chalk Hill Road, threatening multiple structures and burning approximately 36 acres, Cal Fire said.

Cal Fire said the Flora fire was first reported at 4:39 p.m. near the 12000 block of Chalk Hill Road.

The road was closed to traffic between Spurgeon Road and Flora Ranch Road into late Wednesday evening.

The wind driven fire quickly grew to 36 acres before firefighters were able to stop its forward progress at 7:15 p.m. Wednesday, Cal Fire reported.

Assisting agencies on the fire include Northern Sonoma County Fire Protection District, Sonoma County Fire District, Santa Rosa Fire, Healdsburg Fire, Dry Creek Rancheria Fire, Gold Ridge Fire Protection District, North Sonoma Coast Fire Protection District, South Lake County Fire Protection District and California Highway Patrol.

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Written by: Lake County News reports

Published: 25 July 2024