A Laguna Niguel man was arrested after arson investigators determined a string of fires along Ortega Highway were set intentionally, officials said.
A joint investigation between the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, Orange County Fire Authority, Cal Fire, and U.S. Forest Service lead detectives to Homayon Farnoodymeher, 46, after evidence was found.
The sheriff’s department declined to specify what evidence they discovered, as the investigation was ongoing.
Investigators believe the arson fires in the area set by Farnoodymeher date back to October 2021, although there were no damages to structures or injuries as a result of those fires.
In March, a California Highway Patrol incident log noted a man seen setting fires in the area when the San Juan fire broke out. The fire was put out in a few hours and the cause of the fire was under investigation.
Farnoodymeher was arrested and booked on suspicion of arson on April 19 and released on bond from Orange County Jail the following day.
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Smoke seen from Ortega Highway is from a controlled burn