Man arrested, accused of starting Raymond Fire in Madera County

MADERA COUNTY, Calif. (KFSN) -- A antheral has been arrested for allegedly starting a occurrence earlier this week successful Madera County.

The Madera County Sheriff's Office says 34-year-old Hilario Vargas Martinez intentionally started the Raymond Fire.

The occurrence broke retired astir 3:30 p.m. Monday adjacent Raymond Road and Avenue 28 1/4. The flames scorched 40 acres, causing an estimated $300,000 successful damage.

Deputies accidental witnesses saw Martinez deliberately lighting aggregate fires on the Fresno River. Martinez would aboriginal beryllium detained by deputies a mile distant from the scene.

Deputies cited and released Martinez for a seat warrant stemming from a February incidental involving cause paraphernalia.

Martinez has been booked into the Madera County Jail connected 3 felony counts of arson and 3 felony counts of recklessly mounting a fire.

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