Residents in West Hills, Los Angeles, restrained a homeless man they believed was trying to start a fire with a “flamethrower” amid ongoing wildfires. Witnesses reported he carried a “large propane tank or flamethrower.” Police arrested him for violating felony probation but lacked probable cause for further charges.
The incident occurred near a Kenneth-area fire on Thursday, which had burned over 1,000 acres by Friday evening and was 35% contained. Earlier that week, dry vegetation and Santa Ana winds fueled wildfires, prompting mass evacuations as fires spread rapidly, burning tens of thousands of acres. Governor Gavin Newsom faced criticism for the response but remained optimistic as Los Angeles battled one of its most destructive wildfire events