Man suspected of starting King Fire arrested

A Pollock Pines man has been arrested on suspicion of starting a fire in El Dorado County that has destroyed nearly 71,000 acres and forced the evacuation of 3,000 people.

According to a release from Cal Fire, 37-year-old Wayne Allen Huntsman was booked into the El Dorado County Jail on arson charges stemming from the King Fire, which ignited September 13 around 4:30 p.m.

Huntsman was arrested Wednesday, September 17.

Federal, state and local law enforcement worked together and determined the fire was started intentionally, and the investigation subsequently led them to Huntsman.

Officials said over 3,600 firefighters are on the front lines battling the blaze. Governor Brown declared a State of Emergency in El Dorado County and has secured federal funding to help with the cost of fighting the fire, which has exceeded $10M to date, according to Cal Fire’s release.

The investigation is ongoing, KESQ and CBS Local 2 will deliver more details as the case moves forward.