LOS ANGELES, CA – A 47-year-old Los Angeles woman was arrested early Saturday on suspicion of intentionally starting a small brush fire along Little Tujunga Canyon Road in the Angeles National Forest, according to the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheila Nartatez was arrested at about 4:45 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 7, near mile marker 16 of the road in the Kagel Canyon area, the Sheriff’s Department said. The blaze, named the Arrow Fire, was held to about half an acre.
Deputies from the department’s Crescenta Valley Station determined that she had intentionally started the fire and arrested her for recklessly setting fire to forest land. She was booked at the Crescenta Valley Station Jail and held on $35,000 bail.
An arrest is not a conviction, and the allegations remain subject to the criminal court process.
Forest Service firefighters spotted woman near fire
Personnel with the U.S. Forest Service Fire Department spotted Nartatez walking near the brush fire, the Sheriff’s Department said. They called deputies from the Crescenta Valley Station, who detained her.
According to initial reports, the fire reached a quarter-acre at 2:26 a.m. Saturday, and firefighters halted its forward progress at 3:09 a.m. Its size was first estimated at three-quarters of an acre before it was reduced to less than half an acre, and Los Angeles Fire Department units also responded.
Firefighters then extinguished the fire at about half an acre. The Sheriff’s Department said the quick response put out a fire that could have become far more dangerous.
Sheriff’s captain cites high-wind conditions
Capt. Ryan A. Vienna of the Crescenta Valley Station said starting a fire recklessly is inherently dangerous, especially during red-flag warnings for high-wind events.
Vienna said additional units were deployed for fire-watch duties because of those conditions. He said the quick response extinguished a potentially disastrous fire.
Authorities also noted that strong winds can carry burning embers long distances, igniting multiple fires and turning a small fire into an uncontrollable wildfire.
Red Flag Warning covered mountain areas
The fire burned inside a National Weather Service Red Flag Warning that ran from 2 a.m. through 6 p.m. Saturday. Los Angeles County public safety agencies had urged residents to prepare for the conditions in a county announcement issued Nov. 6.
That announcement described Santa Ana winds and very low humidity, with gusts of 30 to 45 mph forecast in mountain areas. It said the conditions could allow rapid fire spread and extreme fire behavior if a fire started.
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Anthony C. Marrone urged people to call 9-1-1 immediately if they see signs of smoke or fire. According to initial reports, the warning area included the Santa Clarita Valley, the Santa Monica Mountains, the Santa Susana Mountains and the western San Gabriel Mountains, with humidity forecast at 8% to 20% and temperatures in the upper 80s.
Forest fire restrictions in effect through Dec. 31
The Angeles National Forest has fire restrictions in effect from July 24 through Dec. 31, 2026, according to the Forest Service’s fire danger alert for the forest.
That alert also lists the forest’s fire danger level, which was lowered from Very High to High.
Arson and Explosives Detail investigating
The Sheriff’s Arson and Explosives Detail is investigating the fire. The Sheriff’s Department said the motive is unknown.
Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact the Arson and Explosives Detail at 323-881-7500.
Investigation remains active
The investigation remains active, and prosecutors had not announced a charging decision as of Monday. Nartatez was held on $35,000 bail after her arrest in connection with the Arrow Fire.
