Sonora, CA…On Tuesday October 24th, just before 1:00 P.M., the Sonora Police Department received a call of a vegetation fire on Snell Street west of Sonora High School. Sonora Fire and Police Department officials responded to the area. Upon arrival, fire officials observed a vegetation fire located on the hillside along the north roadway edge of Snell Street. The fire was burning in grass and oak woodland and was approximately ¼ acre in size. During suppression activities, fire officials believed the cause to be suspicious and contacted the Sonora Police Department’s Fire Investigation Unit. Sonora Police Department Fire Investigators responded to the scene and conducted an origin and cause investigation.

During the investigation, it was learned that witnesses observed juveniles leaving the area shortly before the fire was reported. Investigators determined the cause of the fire was arson.

The Sonora Police Department is asking the public to contact the Sonora Police Department with any information that could lead to identifying person(s) responsible for the cause of this fire.