Just before 1:00 am on 4/8/21, a wildland fire was reported in the 1500 block of Al Tahoe Blvd. South Lake Tahoe Fire Rescue (SLTFR) and South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) quickly arrived to the scene and were able to extinguish the fire. At the same time, approximately a quarter of a mile away on Pioneer Trail a responding SLTFR engine located a second wildland fire. It was determined that both fires were intentionally set.
While at the second fire, SLTFR personnel also observed a male subject nearby that attempted to conceal himself in the brush. SLTPD was notified and once they arrived to the scene they detained the suspect identified as Issac Escalara. Escarlara has been booked into the El Dorado County Jail for two counts of 451(c) PC-Arson to Forest Land. Thanks to the joint efforts of SLTPD, SLTFR and the El Dorado County Sheriff's office for working together to quickly contain the fires and arrest the suspect.