Pollock Pines, CA. October 23, 2023 – In a significant breakthrough, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Deputies have apprehended an individual on a CAL FIRE-related warrant, linked to a series of fires that plagued Pollock Pines in mid-September. Subsequent investigations have now connected this suspect to two additional fires, bringing the total count to five separate incidents across El Dorado and Amador counties.
With a collaborative effort involving CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Officers, the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office, the El Dorado County District Attorney’s Office, and the El Dorado County Fire Protection District, authorities took 27-year-old Steven Saunders into custody. Saunders has been booked in the El Dorado County Jail on suspicion of arson, stemming from fires at the following locations:
- Taco Bell Building Blaze – On September 13, 2023, at 2:33 a.m., a structure fire erupted at the Taco Bell Building located at 6454 Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.
- Family Dollar Store Inferno – Later that same day, at 9:48 p.m., a vegetation fire sparked behind the Family Dollar Store at 6524 Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.
- CVS Drugs Ignition – On September 14, 2023, at 5:18 a.m., another vegetation fire ignited behind CVS Drugs at 6450 Pony Express Trail in Pollock Pines.
- River Pines Blaze – The suspect is also connected to a vegetation fire that broke out on October 21, 2023, at 4:00 a.m. in the area of Meadow View Road and Shenandoah Road in River Pines.
- The Ore Fire – Most recently, on October 23, 2023, at 3:39 p.m., a vegetation fire, ominously referred to as “the Ore Fire,” flared up in the vicinity of Highway 49 and Ore Court in Logtown.
A critical turning point in this case came through the evidence collected at these fire scenes, conclusively confirming that all of the fires were intentionally set, marking them as acts of arson.
This arrest highlights the unwavering dedication of CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Officers, who tirelessly investigate fires and pursue individuals suspected of igniting them. Notably, in the period from January 1, 2023, through September 30, 2023, CAL FIRE Law Enforcement Officers have made a total of 88 arson-related arrests.
CAL FIRE urges the public to remain vigilant and prepared while staying alert for any suspicious fire activity. To report any such activity, you are encouraged to call the Arson Tip Line at 1-800-468-4408. This community engagement is vital in ensuring the safety and security of our local areas and preventing further incidents of arson.
