Suspect Arrested After Wildfire breaks out in Grass Valley

GRASS VALLEY, Calif. (AP) — Authorities have arrested a homeless man on suspicion of arson after a wildfire breaks out in Northern California, leading to the evacuation of a state park.

Grass Valley police say it appears a cigarette may have ignited the fire in a wooded area of town in the Sierra foothills on Saturday. Officers who responded to the blaze detained 52-year-old David Holm after seeing him walk away from the fire with burn injuries to his lower legs.

Holm was taken to the hospital for treatment of burn injuries and for smoke inhalation.

Fire officials say the fire spread to 30 acres and forced the evacuation of Empire Mine State Park. The blaze is 50 percent contained.