Fullerton man arrested in 80-acre brush fire in Orange County
A firefighting helicopter makes a water drop on a wildfire burning in the hills around Idaho Street in La Habra.
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A 56-year-old man has been arrested on suspicion of causing a more than 80-acre brush fire that raced near homes in La Habra this week.
Paul Munoz was living at an encampment in the Coyote Hills near Gilbert Street and Castlewood Drive, where the Risner fire started at 3:45 p.m. Tuesday, Fullerton police Sgt. Kathryn Hamel said.
The fire was fully contained Wednesday, but police said they discovered information that led them to Munoz.
After police and fire investigators interviewed Munoz on Wednesday morning, he was taken into custody and booked on suspicion of causing a fire with injuries.
Two firefighters were hurt as they tackled flames in the West Coyote Hills.
About 40 homes were evacuated as firefighters from Los Angeles County, the Orange County Fire Authority and the Fullerton Fire Department battled the blaze amid record-setting heat.
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