Auburn, Calif. August 31, 2019 – CAL FIRE Peace Officers arrested 75-year old Eugene Delmartin Friday afternoon after conducting an origin and cause investigation at the scene of a vegetation fire on Drum Powerhouse Road in Alta (Placer County).
Shortly before 5:00pm Friday August 30th, CAL FIRE/Placer County firefighters responded to the report of a vegetation fire in Stump Canyon on Drum Powerhouse Road in Alta. Upon arrival firefighters found a vegetation fire and a male subject in the area.
When firefighters asked the man to leave for his safety he was uncooperative. Firefighters called for CAL FIRE Peace Officers to respond and investigate.
CAL FIRE Peace Officers arrived at scene and conducted their investigation. Officers interviewed Eugene Delmartin who was found to be illegally camping on private property. Subsequent to the investigation officers arrested Delmartin for arson.
Delmartin is a known transient in the area and is believed to be connected to a fire on Tuesday in the same area. A series of fires in recent weeks are believed to be caused by transients illegally camping in remote areas of the foothills. The fire on Tuesday burned approximately .1 acres and Friday’s fire burned approximately .3 acres.
CAL FIRE/Placer County Fire was assisted by CHP and the Placer County Sheriff.
Delmartin was booked into the Placer County Jail in Auburn on $150,000 bail.