October 6, 2016 – On the evening of October 5, 2016, the Grass Valley / Nevada City Joint Investigation Unit booked 52-year-old David Holm into the Nevada County Jail for felony arson in relation to the Auburn Fire that occurred on September 17. Holm had been identified as a suspect immediately after the fire started. However, he could not be booked at the time because he required medical treatment for burn injuries and smoke inhalation.
Over the past several weeks, Holm has been admitted to 2 different medical facilities in Sacramento. On Wednesday evening, detectives learned that Holm was able to be released. They responded and took Holm into custody. He was then transported to the Nevada County Jail where he was booked.
The fire started on September 17 just after 1:30 pm near the intersection of S. Auburn Street and Whiting Street in Grass Valley. Although no structures were lost, the fire burned equipment and property of a nearby business before quickly spreading into the heavily wooded area of the Empire Mine State Park. The fire burned nearly 50 acres and required the evacuation of the park and several residences in the area. All local fire resources responded to fight the fire as well as local and regional air attack units. During the event, a local firefighter had to be transported to the hospital for severe smoke inhalation.
Holm was booked for 452(a) of the California Penal Code – unlawfully/recklessly causing a fire that burns forest land or property and causes great bodily injury.
Editor’s note: Link to the Auburn Fire incident page added.