Homeless man charged in Palisades brush fire
PACIFIC PALISADES, Calif. (CNS) — A homeless man who allegedly started the 1,158-acre brush fire in Pacific Palisades on Friday night was arrested after investigators sent to the scene saw him starting other fires in the area the following day, the Los Angeles Fire Department said Tuesday.
Ramon Santos Rodriguez, 48, was charged Tuesday with one felony count each of arson of a structure or forest and arson during a state of emergency. He pleaded not guilty and was ordered to be held in lieu of $350,000 bail while awaiting a June 1 hearing to determine if there is sufficient evidence to require him to stand trial.
Meanwhile, firefighters made significant overnight progress on the fire, as containment lines were improved and firefighters were able to make access to remote areas to mop up.
Topanga Canyon Boulevard was reopened to the public at 1 p.m. Tuesday, when officials also lifted an evacuation warning issued Sunday for all homes north of Chastain Parkway in the 1500 block to Calle Del Cielo. The warning area included Calle De Sarah, Calle Bellevista and all homes west of Calle Del Cielo and Ave Ashley up to the hills.
Read more: https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west/wildfires/2021/05/16/palisades-fire--search-underway-person-suspected-of-starting-fire