**Arrest Made in Little Mountain Fire Incident in San Bernardino**
A man has been arrested in connection with a fire that erupted in San Bernardino County on Wednesday afternoon as multiple wildfires continued to burn in Southern California and the region was under a red flag warning. Crews responded to a quickly spreading brush fire on Little Mountain Drive and West Edgehill Road around 2 p.m., according to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. They were able to halt forward progress shortly before 4 p.m., at which point the fire had grown to 34 acres.
**Man Arrested on Suspicion of Reckless Burning**
The San Bernardino Police Department also responded to the incident and later arrested a man on suspicion of two felony charges, including a count of reckless burning. The incident comes on the heels of several recent arson arrests that have taken place while Los Angeles battles two of the most destructive fires in California history, greatly frustrating first responders who are desperately trying to prevent further loss of property and life.
**Recent Arson Arrests in Los Angeles**
On Monday, Los Angeles Police Chief Jim McDonnell detailed three recent arson arrests: a person suspected of using a barbecue lighter to spark fires in North Hollywood, a person suspected of lighting brush in Sherman Oaks, and a person suspected of setting a trash can on fire in West L.A. Last week, a transient man identified as Jose Carranza-Escobar was arrested on suspicion of purposefully starting a fire in Azusa. Police say he later admitted to the crime. In addition, Juan Sierra was arrested Thursday by L.A. police and identified by the Ventura County Sheriff’s Office as a “person of interest” in the Kenneth fire.
**Impact on San Bernardino and Surrounding Areas**
Wednesday’s Little Mountain fire in San Bernardino prompted a temporary road closure on Little Mountain Drive from Edgehill Drive to Sheridan Road. There were no reports of injuries or buildings damaged. The fire ignited amid a red flag warning that expired Wednesday night. Eric Sherwin of the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District said wind gusts were coming from the northeast at around 20 mph by the fire area Wednesday afternoon.
The situation in Southern California remains critical as the region faces a sustained period of elevated fire danger. While the red flag warning expired on Wednesday, moderate winds are expected to return to the Los Angeles region beginning Sunday night and continuing through most of next week, according to the National Weather Service.
**Conclusion**
The arrest made in connection with the Little Mountain fire incident in San Bernardino sheds light on the ongoing challenges faced by first responders in combating wildfires across Southern California. As communities continue to grapple with the threat of further fires, swift action and collaboration between law enforcement agencies are crucial in preventing additional loss of life and property. Stay informed and stay safe as we navigate through this period of heightened fire danger.