Concord Man Charged With Arson In 2 Fires: DA

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA — A Concord man was arrested Wednesday by Cal Fire law enforcement officers on suspicion of committing arson in two vegetation fires that burned a total of 18 acres earlier this month in an unincorporated area of East Contra Costa County near Brentwood.

Joshua David Smith, 38, was booked into Contra Costa County jail on suspicion of two counts of arson to forest land and two counts of enhancement because of the coronavirus state of emergency, according to Cal Fire Deputy Chief Mike Marcucci.

Smith was being held in lieu of $450,000 bail, Marcucci said.

The Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office filed charges Friday against Smith, according to Scott Alonso, spokesman for the DA's Office.

According to court documents, Smith is accused of setting a fire May 6 on Marsh Creek Road that burned 13 acres of forest land.

He is also accused of setting a fire May 7 on Camino Diablo Road that burned 5 acres of forest land.

Smith is facing two felony counts of arson and two felony counts of committing arson during a state of emergency.

Smith, who is being held at the Martinez jail, is set to be arraigned on the charges Tuesday morning, Alonso said.

It was not clear whether authorities believe Smith may have had a motive in setting the fires.

According to Cal Fire, residents of the affected community provided information that led investigators to Smith.

"CAL FIRE would like to extend our thanks to the residents of the affected community for their vigilance and information which helped in the apprehension of the suspect," Marcucci said. "Residents should be vigilant in their preparedness and aware of suspicious persons when a fire does start."

Cal Fire has an arson hotline, 800-468-4408, and callers can remain anonymous.