San Bernardino National Forest - Vegetation Fire - 3-21-13

(SB Sun)SAN BERNARDINO - Police officers arrested a 27-year-old man seen running from the Waterman Canyon area for allegedly setting five fires along Highway 18 near Waterman Canyon Road Thursday afternoon. Jaried Escobedo, of San Bernardino, was taken into custody after he was spotted trying to run uphill from the fire scene Thursday, according to authorities. Escobedo reportedly noticed San Bernardino police officers waiting for him at the top of the ridge, tried to run back down the hillside, lost his footing and took a tumble, officials said. He was initially held on an unrelated warrant, but following an investigation by the San Bernardino City Fire Department, was later booked on suspicion of arson, booking records show. Firefighters extinguished five small brush fires, which burned a total of 1 acre in Waterman Canyon, according to San Bernardino National Forest officials. The first fire ignited shortly before 3 p.m. near Highway 18 and lower Old Waterman Canyon Road, according to the California Highway Patrol website, prompting a closure of Old Waterman Canyon Road. Witnesses and some fire personnel reported seeing a man wearing a blue polo shirt and jeans trying to flee the area, according to reports.

Photos by EPN-564