73-year-old man arrested in connection to Marin Co. Spirit Fire

WOODACRE, Calif. (KTVU) - In a late-breaking development out of the North Bay on Tuesday, a 73-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of reckless burning and causing the 16-acre Spirit Fire, according to Marin County Sheriff's Department. 

Henry Walker of Petaluma was booked into the Marin County Jail on a felony charge.

Officials said Walker, who had minor injuries from trying to stomp out the fire, had flagged down a Marin County Fire battalion chief in the area of the Spirit Rock Meditation Center. Walker told the chief he had started the fire on the ridge and, "admitted to setting personal effects on fire."

The suspect told officials the fire grew out of control and that he was unable to extinguish the fire himself.   

Marin County Fire Department said they will remain at the scene of the fire that had earlier in the day prompted an evacuation warning for east Rancho Santa Margarita. The fire is 60% contained. The evacuation orders were lifted around 6:30 p.m. 

Fire crews will continue their mop-up efforts and expect full containment on Wednesday.  

Officials initially responded to the fire at 4:11 p.m. on a ridge above the meditation center located at 5000 Sir Francis Drake Boulevard in Woodacre.

By 6:11 p.m., Marin Co. Fire said the forward rate of the fire's spread was stopped. 

Ross Valley Fire, San Rafael Fire and Cal Fire assisted with the response. Air attack crews and tankers were also involved. 

The evacuation order was issued out of abundance of caution just before 5 p.m. 

KTVU's Skyfox flew overhead and could see crews performing fire retardant air drops. 

A fire update hotline has been set up for residents who are not active on social media. The number provided by officials is (415)473-7191.