A California man has been arrested in alleged connection with a deadly wildfire this past summer that killed one person and left dozens of homes destroyed.
29-year-old Happy Valley resident Zane Wallace Peterson was taken into police custody on Wednesday, after he reportedly ignited the two fires known as the September Clover Fire in Shasta County, according to state fire Capt. Scott McLean who spoke with the Associated Press.
Peterson was arrested on Tuesday, McLean reported.
Fueled by gusty winds and dry brush, the fire chewed through at least 12 square miles close to Happy Valley, spreading at around 500 acres an hour at its worst, according to AP.
More than 50 homes were destroyed by the wildfire. 56-year-old Igo resident Brian Henry died inside his scorched RV after the fire ravaged his home.
Following three months of analysis and examination of the fire's path, authorities made the arrest, McLean said.
"This is still an ongoing case," McLean told AP. "There's still more work to be done on our part to make sure this comes to a positive conclusion."
According to Shasta County Superior Deputy District Attorney Ben Hanna, Peterson worked as a firefighter in the past.
The Record Searchlight of Redding called Peterson's home on Wednesday, but the woman who answered the phone didn't offer a comment.
© 2025 HNGN, All rights reserved. Do not reproduce without permission.
