NORTHERN CALIFORNIA – Cal Fire law enforcement officers have arrested a Happy Valley man on suspicion of intentionally setting numerous fires throughout Shasta County, including the September Clover Fire that killed one person and destroyed nearly 200 structures.

Zane Wallace Peterson, 29, was arrested Tuesday morning and booked into the Shasta County Jail, Cal Fire reported.

The agency said Peterson was arrested on felony charges including 140 counts of arson of a structure or vegetation, one count of arson that causes great bodily injury, 60 counts of arson to occupied structures, two counts of arson with aggravating factors and five counts of arson using an incendiary device.

The Clover Fire was reported just after 12:30 p.m. Sept. 9 in the community of Igo, 10 miles southwest of Redding. Cal Fire said the fire burned 8,073 acres and threatened more than 500 residences during its course.

It took seven days to contain the fire, with 60 occupied residences and 130 additional structures destroyed by the fire, according to Cal Fire.

In addition, there was one civilian fatality, Cal Fire said.

More than 1,500 firefighters from across the state responded at the height of the incident. Cal Fire said the cost to contain and control the Clover Fire is more than $7.3 million.

“Arson is a serious crime that threatens the public, our communities and the environment,” said Cal Fire Northern Region Chief Doug Wenham. “This is a significant arson arrest for Cal Fire, Shasta County, and the residents who endured the Clover Fire and suffered losses. The tragic loss of life and so many homes at the hands of an intentional fire is a heinous act.”

The Shasta County District Attorney’s Office and the Shasta County Sheriff’s Department aided Cal Fire in the investigation and arrest.

“I’m proud of our fire investigators and their arrest of this arson suspect,” said Chief Mike Hebrard, Cal Fire unit chief and Shasta County fire warden. “A lot of time and energy has been invested into this investigation and we look forward to continuing to work with the District Attorney’s Office on this ongoing criminal case.”

As part of Cal Fire’s fire prevention efforts, investigators work diligently to investigate the origin and cause of all types of fires.

When a fire cause is determined to be intentionally set, Cal Fire is committed to holding those responsible who willfully and maliciously threaten the safety of the public.