Man Held On $1M Bail In West Covina Arson Fires

WEST COVINA, CA — A man was facing possible felony charges Tuesday in connection with a series of fires that authorities say were intentionally set during the summer months at Galster Wilderness Park in West Covina.

Following a criminal investigation led by the West Covina Fire Department Arson Unit, Christopher Ramirez, 45 was arrested Friday for allegedly setting four fires at the park between May and August, officials said.

Ramirez was booked at the West Covina Police Department Jail with bail set at $1 million.

"The four fires collectively burned approximately 20 acres of the 40- acre Wilderness Park, threatened nearby hillside neighborhoods and required additional resources from fire departments throughout the San Gabriel Valley and neighboring communities," the city's fire department said in a statement. "Aerial firefighting resources were deployed to help contain the fires and protect nearby homes, while firefighters on the ground operated in challenging conditions that included steep terrain, dense vegetation, and high temperatures."

The case is now in the hands of the Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office.

City News Service