A firefighter working for California's state fire agency, who was once an incarcerated fire crew member, has been arrested for allegedly starting multiple wildfires.
According to NBC Bay Area, Robert Hernandez, a 38-year-old Cal Fire employee, was taken into custody in Sonoma County after he was accused of igniting five small-scale fires across Northern California during August and September 2024.
The arrest occurred at the Howard Forest Fire Station in Healdsburg, where Hernandez was working as an apparatus engineer. His duties included operating fire engines and supporting emergency response efforts. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, known as Cal Fire, confirmed that the arrest was made public as of Sept. 20, 2024.
According to the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office, the fires connected to Hernandez’s arrest took place between Aug. 14 and Sept. 15, 2024. They were located near the Northern California communities of Geyserville, Healdsburg, and Windsor. The blazes were quickly contained, thanks to a rapid response from residents and fire crews, and burned less than one acre altogether. The allegations shocked members of the firefighting community as Hernandez was not only an employee within the organization tasked with wildfire suppression, but he also had a prior criminal history. Documents from the Sonoma County court revealed that Hernandez had previously served a prison sentence for a deadly vehicle crash.
Conviction For 2016 Manslaughter Incident Revealed
In 2016, Hernandez was convicted of gross vehicular manslaughter while intoxicated, following a fatal traffic collision in San Bernardino. He was sentenced to six years in prison after the deadly incident. During his incarceration, he was approved to participate in a state rehabilitation program that allows inmates to work on firefighting crews.
By 2018, Hernandez had become part of California’s inmate firefighter program, which deploys incarcerated individuals to fight fires and assist with emergency efforts across the state. These inmate crews often work in difficult terrain during wildfires and other natural disasters. During that period, he supported operations related to both fire and flood disasters.
Years later, Hernandez was employed by Cal Fire in a full-time professional capacity. His position as apparatus engineer put him in a role of responsibility, operating equipment intended to help put out the very types of fires he now stands accused of starting. Neither Cal Fire nor the union representing its workers has commented on his employment history or provided details on his legal defense status.
Cal Fire Director Voices Disappointment
Cal Fire Director and Fire Chief Joe Tyler expressed serious concern in a statement issued after the arrest. He said he was “appalled” to learn of the allegations, stating they could damage the reputation of the agency’s thousands of dedicated employees. Tyler emphasized the potential harm to public trust caused by the accusations.
The agency has declined further comment beyond confirming the arrest. Cal Fire spokesperson Ari Hirschfield said in an email on a Friday—exact date unspecified—that the department would not provide additional answers regarding the case. This leaves open questions about how Hernandez was hired after completing his prison term and rehabilitation program. Hernandez’s possible motives for the alleged arsons have not been addressed in court records or agency statements. Authorities have filed a complaint accusing him of illegal acts involving forest land, though no further details regarding evidence or method of ignition were publicly shared as of late September 2024.
Community Impact Was Contained
Despite the seriousness of the accusations, the damage from the five brush fires was minimal due to rapid firefighter interventions. Thanks to quick action from nearby residents and on-scene teams, each blaze was stopped before spreading widely. The total damage reportedly stayed under one acre across all incidents.
The Press Democrat, a regional news outlet, previously reported on Hernandez’s time as an inmate firefighter, highlighting his journey through the California rehabilitation program. Inmate fire crews are crucial to the state’s emergency response network. Still, the transition from inmate to professional firefighter is less common and raises questions about oversight and background screening. It is unclear whether Hernandez has secured legal representation, and court filings do not list an attorney on record. The criminal complaint does confirm he will face formal charges related to forest land arson, a serious offense under California law that may include significant prison time if convicted.
Broader Fire Season Context
The arrest came during a busy season for fire crews statewide. On Sept. 24, 2024, a Bay Area-based fire team returned home after helping to control the Bridge Fire in Southern California. While that incident was unrelated to Hernandez's case, it signals the ongoing demand for firefighting personnel across California's diverse regions.
Firefighters across the state continue to work long hours in increasingly challenging environments. The integrity and reliability of emergency personnel are vital to public safety, which is why cases involving allegations against fire agency employees receive heightened scrutiny. If convicted, Hernandez could face severe consequences, particularly given his criminal past. His prior felony conviction and subsequent employment with Cal Fire are expected to come under further review as the case proceeds through the legal system.
This case has sparked renewed discussions about the risks of recidivism and the vetting process used by emergency services employers. As more information becomes available, public agencies may face calls to reevaluate standards involving formerly incarcerated individuals entering public service roles.
