Auburn – CAL FIRE / Placer County Fire Department Law Enforcement arrested Levi Smith, age 34, a resident of Newcastle, for one count of recklessly causing a fire. Levi Smith is accused of recklessly causing a fire on a vacant parcel of private property, near a walking trail behind 1910 Auburn Folsom Road, Newcastle, CA (Placer County) at 3:45 PM on Tuesday, September 14, 2021.
CAL FIRE/Placer County Fire Department, Newcastle Fire, and South Placer Fire responded to the fire. When the initial resources arrived on scene, the fire was approximately ¼ acre in size with structures nearby, and difficult access to the fire. Firefighters aggressively attacked the fire with ground and air resources. The fire was contained with no damage to structures, and no one was injured.
CAL FIRE Law Enforcement investigated the fire. Multiple people near the scene were interviewed. Levi Smith admitted to starting the fire in dry grass while smoking.
Levi Smith was arrested by CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Officers for felony recklessly causing a fire, a violation of California Penal Code Section 452(c). He is currently being held on $330,000 bail in the Placer County Jail.