Petaluma Brush Fire Suspect Arrested

PETALUMA, CA — A vegetation fire near an encampment led Petaluma police to arrest a 45-year-old woman, police said.

Officers responded to the fire near Hopper Street and Caulfield Lane at about 7:15 a.m. Monday.

Police questioned the woman, Michelle Cruz, at an encampment near where the fire originated.

Police said they found a lighter and that Cruz told officers she had started the fire.

Officers arrested Cruz and booked her into the Sonoma County Jail on suspicion of causing a fire on forest land.

Police said surrounding vegetation created a risk that the fire could spread into nearby open spaces and threaten people, property, wildlife, and natural resources.