Woman arrested, accused of starting 450-acre Willow Fire in Calaveras County

A woman driving on a country road on the rims of her car is suspected of starting multiple fires which make up the Willow Fire, a 450-acre fire currently burning in Calaveras County.

An investigation by peace officers with California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) Tuolumne – Calaveras Unit determined that Renee Hogan drove on a flat tire along Mountain Ranch Road, east of the town of San Andreas, when sparks created from the dragging metal rim started several fires in the surrounding vegetation.

The small fires merged into one, causing evacuations since starting at 1:00 p.m. Saturday, August 27.

On Sunday, the California Highway Patrol arrested Hogan at the eastern most part of the fire, which also burned her vehicle. She was initially arrested for driving under the influence of drugs, but after the investigation, the additional charges of causing a fire that resulted in an inhabited structure burning, seven counts of causing a fire to forestland or a structure, and one count of committing a violation during a declared state of emergency were added.

South Tahoe Now Staff Report