LOS ANGELES, CA – A man detained by residents near the Kenneth Fire in Calabasas on Thursday is not facing arson charges, authorities confirmed Friday morning.
Los Angeles police officers responded to a 911 call around 4:30 p.m. regarding a man allegedly attempting to start a fire on Ybarra Road in Woodland Hills. Concerned residents reportedly intervened, detaining the individual until officers arrived. Images from the scene show officers handcuffing the man in the driveway of a home as neighbors watched.
Renata Grinshpun, a witness to the incident, recounted the tense moments leading up to the arrest. “We were sitting in the backyard when we heard someone shouting, ‘Stop! Drop what you’re holding! He’s trying to start a fire! Call 911!’” she said.
At the same time, firefighters were battling the Kenneth Fire, which erupted earlier that day in the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Preserve. The fire, driven by powerful Santa Ana winds, quickly grew to 1,000 acres, threatening homes near the 101 Freeway. Firefighters successfully contained the blaze without any reported structural damage.
In a press conference on Friday, LAPD Divisional Chief Dominic Choi addressed the case, stating that while the man was initially suspected of arson, further investigation did not support those allegations.
“After interviewing the suspect, examining evidence, and taking additional investigative steps, it was determined there was not enough probable cause to arrest him on arson or suspicion of arson,” Choi said.
The individual, however, was arrested for a felony probation violation. “We appreciate the community’s vigilance in reporting suspicious activity, which is essential during emergencies like these,” Choi added. The investigation into the cause of the Kenneth Fire remains ongoing.
Meanwhile, crews across Southern California continue to contend with the region’s destructive wildfire season. The Palisades Fire in Pacific Palisades and Malibu, now the most damaging wildfire in Los Angeles history, has burned nearly 20,000 acres. Similarly, the Eaton Fire near Altadena and Pasadena has destroyed thousands of structures and claimed multiple lives.
Both fires remain under investigation, with officials working to determine the causes amid ongoing firefighting efforts. Residents are urged to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activity as authorities focus on containment and recovery.
