Santa Clarita man accused of tossing cigarette onto fireworks, igniting wildfire
A Santa Clarita man is accused of starting a wildfire that burned more than 1,000 acres of the Angeles National Forest and prompted evacuation orders.
Rodney Ameile Saba, 70, of Santa Clarita, was charged with arson involving federal property, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced on Oct. 9.
The “Bouquet Fire” was ignited on Oct. 3 around 2:13 p.m., northeast of Santa Clarita. Moments before the fire started, Saba allegedly warned a neighbor to expect a loud sound, similar to a shotgun blast.
Neighbors then heard a powerful explosion followed by Saba yelling for help as a fire began quickly spreading up the hillside, prosecutors said.
Saba was arrested and later admitted to law enforcement that, from his porch, he threw a cigarette onto fireworks, which caused them to explode and ignite the fire, court documents said.
Investigators recovered a lighter, cigarettes, shotgun ammunition and an aerial mortar firework from Saba’s cabin on Bouquet Canyon Road.
The Bouquet Fire spread quickly and eventually scorched 1,048 acres, prompting evacuation orders and warnings in the immediate area.
At the time, investigators with the U.S. Forest Service determined that the Bouquet Fire was “probably caused by fireworks” after excluding lightning, campfires, debris burning and other potential causes.
In addition to the arson charge, the complaint further alleged that Saba had multiple prior felony convictions, including mayhem, vandalism, possession of a controlled substance, criminal threats, manufacture or possession of a dangerous weapon, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
If convicted as charged, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
The case remains under investigation by the U.S. Forest Service with assistance from the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department’s Arson Explosives Detail.
