Earlier this week, the 23-year-old man accused of setting the Hopkins Fire four years ago was sentenced to 15 years in prison. The fire, which destroyed 30 homes in Calpella, upended the lives of dozens of families. But in the way of fires, the destruction also led to regeneration. The Hopkins fire contributed to a new approach to handling arson that, over the next three years, led to a 33% reduction in all fires and a 45% reduction in intentional fires, according to the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority.
As the 2024 fire season comes to a close, the number of fires continues to fall. Ukiah Valley Fire Authority Battalion Chief Justin Buckingham credits a combination of education and aggressive enforcement for the decrease in arson.
"In 2020, I took over the investigation and prevention efforts and noticed we had a large problem," Buckingham said. "Through education and really going after people who maliciously set fires, we've been able to reduce arson from 66% to 35%. So far, it seems to be working."
In 2021, sixty-six percent of fires in Ukiah in were attributed to arson or unintentional causes, making headlines across the Bay Area. The high rate of arson spurred Buckingham to action, though the chief also notes that arson is typically underreported, making interdepartmental comparisons somewhat unreliable.
Nationwide, only one in four arsons results in an arrest or clearance, according to the FBI. In an interview with KZYX, Buckingham highlighted the challenges law enforcement faces with arson investigations, underscoring the need for specialized training to identify and prove arson. "The crime of arson is challenging to prosecute," Buckingham said. "It requires fire investigator training to understand how a fire burns and to rule out other causes."
After assuming his role in 2020, Buckingham worked closely with the district attorney's office to improve arson investigations and prosecutions. "It was a big problem in our community that could have disastrous effects," he said.
The case of Devin Lamar Johnson, who was found guilty of setting the Hopkins Fire, is an example of the complexities of investigating and prosecuting arson. After cameras captured Johnson's involvement in the Hopkins Fire, he admitted to being at the scene. However, he claimed the fire was accidental and that the blaze ignited after he accidentally dropped a cigarette. Johnson's first trial resulted in a hung jury, but in the second trial, Johnson failed to explain why he did not call 911 or try to extinguish the fire. An expert witness was also able to explain the difference between a conflagration that was deliberately set — like the Hopkins Fire — and a fire caused by a smoldering item like a cigarette that catches more slowly. Johnson's story unraveled under cross-examination.
In addition to enforcement, education has played a key role in reducing arson, particularly given the connection between fires and homelessness. "We have a large unhoused population in Ukiah, and the majority of fires we respond to are related to this population," Buckingham said. "During fire season, we take a no-fire policy and use the first encounter as an educational opportunity."
If individuals continue to set fires after they have been informed of the consequences, police and fire personnel have a new tool. Earlier this month, the Ukiah City Council closed a loophole that allowed fires to be set for cooking or recreational purposes within city limits. Prior to their action, individuals could set fires and claim they were for cooking or recreation without facing penalties.
Intentionally set fires in the Ukiah area reached a peak of 134 in 2021. So far this year, the Ukiah Valley Fire Authority has reduced that number to just 47. With the new ordinance in place, police and fire personnel may be able to reduce the number of intentional fires even further.
