String of suspicious fires in Santa Rosa

SANTA ROSA, Calif. (KTVU) - Santa Rosa police and fire investigators say 13 fires within two hours over the weekend may be the responsibility of at least one person.

The fires were reported late Saturday night and early Sunday morning. They say whoever is responsible most likely didn’t use a match or a lighter.

“We’re looking at a more substantial butane torch, which is commonly used with cigars or other means of smoking materials,” said Ian Hardage, an assistant fire marshal with the Santa Rosa Fire Department.

The first three fires were reported at about 11:45 p.m. Saturday. They burned grass along the SMART Train tracks near Hearn Avenue.

A half hour later, more fires broke out, this time, along the Santa Rosa Creek Trail.

“No structures were threatened. Nobody was injured, but this type of activity this time of year can be very dangerous,” Hardage said.

Two fires burned grass along either side of Stony Point Road where it meets the creek.

“We had one great big fire, and look all around us right here,” said Regina Marcheschi as she surveyed the damage. “The trees, the dead grass, basically. You could have another great big fire.”

Video from Skyfox shows the charred parts of the trail. The theory is that the person responsible headed west along a nearly three-mile stretch of the creek trail from Dutton Avenue to Fulton Road.

“We believe that person was most likely on a bicycle, based upon the speed and timing of the fires,” said Santa Rosa police Sgt. Marcus Sprague. “We don’t know who that person is, and we’re asking for help from the public.”

People who use the trail say they're concerned, especially after last fall's devastating wildfires. They hope an arrest is made quickly.

“Get the authorities after them,” said John Mandas, a former San Francisco firefighter who originally thought the fires were controlled burns. “It might be an arsonist. It might be beginning of something bigger.”

Marjorie Bone of Santa Rosa asked, “Why would somebody in their right mind try to do more damage to our community?”

Sprague said investigators don’t know why the fires started.

“We have no information on motivation. Obviously, we have a lot of concerns from the public. Ourselves, we’re all members of this community. We all experienced the fires in October. We’re all very sensitive to any fire, anywhere in our town.”

Last month, a homeless encampment was cleared along the Joe Rodata trail, which is south of the creek trail along Highway 12. Investigators doubt there's a connection.

“I have no evidence that would show that it would be homeless activity out there,” Hardage said.