Santa Clarita man charged with arson for allegedly starting Bouquet Fire – NBC Los Angeles

Santa Clarita man charged with arson for allegedly starting Bouquet Fire  NBC Los Angeles

A Santa Clarita man has been charged with arson after allegedly starting a wildfire in the Angeles National Forest last weekend, the DOJ announced. Firefighters are continuing to battle the Bouquet Fire near Santa Clarita as residents remain out of their homes due to evacuation orders. Annette Arreola reports for Today in LA on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. A Santa Clarita man has been charged with arson involving federal property after allegedly starting a wildfire in the Angeles National Forest that scorched more than 1,000 acres and prompted evacuation orders last weekend, the U.S. Department of Justice announced Friday. Rodney Ameile Saba, 70, is accused of igniting the Bouquet Fire behind his home on Bouquet Canyon Road, northeast of Santa Clarita at about 2:15 p.m.

on Oct. 3, according to the federal criminal complaint. He was arrested later that day. Federal prosecutors say Saba warned a neighbor about a shotgun-blast-like sound before witnesses reported hearing an explosion and Saba yelling for help. Witnesses then saw a fire rapidly spreading up the hillside. Saba told law enforcement he was on his porch when he threw a cigarette onto fireworks, leading to the explosion and fire, the complaint alleges. A lighter, cigarettes, shotgun ammunition and an aerial mortar firework were later recovered from his cabin, the DOJ said. Fire investigators determined fireworks