Placerville man accused of arson, arrested after nearly 2,000-acre El Dorado County wildfire

A Placerville man was arrested Monday on suspicion of starting a fire in El Dorado County that burned nearly 2,000 acres last month and forced dozens of evacuations.

The El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office arrested a 48-year-old man after Cal Fire law enforcement issued a warrant for his arrest in connection to the Crozier Fire that sparked Aug. 6 northwest of Slate Mountain, according to a Cal Fire news release.

The man was arrested in Placerville. He faces one count of arson and is being held in lieu of $250,000 bail in El Dorado County Jail.

The Crozier Fire ultimately burned 1,960 acres, authorities said.

“After completion of the initial investigation, it was determined that the fire was intentionally set,” Cal Fire said in a Tuesday news release.

A motive behind setting the fire was not disclosed.

Through the end of August, Cal Fire had arrested 91 people this year on suspicion of arson, the agency said.

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