Cal Fire has dispelled rumors that the suspects in the Para and Lilac fire are agents’ employees.
Reuben Vazquez, 48, was arrested on February 28th and remained at the San Diego County Jail Monday in lieu of $500,000 bail. He faces two felony arsons in connection with the Para fire and the lilac fire, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection reported Saturday.
The fire began about 25 minutes’ walk from Interstate 15 and State Route 76 in the Paramesa and Bonsal area, burning nearly 100 acres, Cal Fire reported.
According to the National Fire Service, the fire that broke out in Gusty Santa Ana conditions prompted the evacuation of hundreds of surrounding residents.
“With witness reporting and investigating efforts, Vazquez has been identified as the suspect,” Cal Fire wrote in a press release on Saturday.
On Friday, CAL Fire Law Enforcement Investigators arrested Vasquez on two felony arson charges. He was taken to the Vista detention facility in San Diego County.
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According to Cal Fire, the investigation will be referred to the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office.
I’m suspected not an employee of Cal fire
Cal Fire sent an explanation on social media on Sunday after public confusion about the suspect. Some thought Vazquez was an employee of the CAL fire.
Cal Fire emphasized that arson investigations are “complicated and can take time to thoroughly gather evidence, review the site, and interview with witnesses.”
The San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, North County Fire Protection District, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office, and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office provided assistance during the investigation.
In this long exposure photo, a helicopter investigates an unedited lilac fire scene in San Diego County, California on January 21, 2025. Photo by Josh Edelson via Getty Images/AFP
Officials involved in Vazquez’s case were unable to discuss details about him on Monday.
The U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Cal Fire, and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office all refused to say where Vazquez lived.
“I can only release what’s in the news release,” Cal Fire spokesman Mike Cornett told the Epoch Times.
Border Patrol spokesman Jaime Ruiz also declined to provide details about the defendant.
“The news release is the only information available,” Lewis told the Epoch Times in an email Monday.
The case was forwarded to file charges with the San Diego County District Attorney, but spokesman Steve Walker said office employees were not ethically permitted to discuss the case until after their arrest.
“Our ethical obligations do not allow us to discuss the facts or evidence of the case that we are reviewing potential criminal charges,” Walker told the Epoch Times in an email Monday. “If an arrest occurs, we can discuss the city of defendant’s residence.”
Vazquez is scheduled for court trial Tuesday, Walker said.
The San Diego fires have been a continuation of the fires that caused massive destruction in Los Angeles, killing at least 29 people.
Cal Fire also did not return a request for comment Monday on an ongoing investigation into the causes of the Palisade and Eaton fires that began on Jan. 7.
