A Grass Valley man, previously indentified as a suspect, has been arrested for starting the Auburn Fire. Police Captain Steve Johnson says 52-year-old David Holm is a transient who had been living in the area where the fire started, on September 17th, near South Auburn and Whiting Streets…

click to listen to Capt Johnson

Johnson says an arrest wasn’t possible until Wednesday evening because Holm had been injured from the fire…

click to listen to Capt Johnson

Johnson says although no structures were lost, the fire burned equipment and property at a nearby port-o-potty business, including about 150 of their portable sanitation units. The blaze then spread quickly into the heavily wooded area of Empire Mine State Park. 50 acres were scorched, which also required evacuation of the park and several homes in the area. Holm is facing one felony charge of recklessly causing a fire that burns forest land or property and causes great bodily injury. One firefighter had to be treated for severe smoke inhalation.