LOS ANGELES — A Santa Clarita man was charged Oct. 9 with federal arson for allegedly setting the Bouquet Fire, which burned about 1,048 acres of federally owned land in the Angeles National Forest, prosecutors said.
Rodney Ameile Saba, 70, faces one count of arson involving federal property. If convicted, he faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
Quick fact checklist
- Defendant: Rodney Ameile Saba, 70, of Santa Clarita.
- Charge: Federal arson; complaint filed Oct. 9.
- Fire: Oct. 3; about 1,048 acres of federal land burned.
- Cause: Allegedly a cigarette thrown onto fireworks.
- Penalty: Up to 20 years if convicted.
- Status: Presumed innocent; allegations remain unproven.
According to the criminal complaint, Saba started the fire about 2:13 p.m. Oct. 3 behind his residence on Bouquet Canyon Road.
Shortly before the blaze erupted, Saba warned a neighbor to expect a noise resembling a shotgun blast, the complaint alleges. Witnesses then heard an explosion, followed by Saba yelling for help as flames spread rapidly up the hillside.
Saba told investigators he threw a cigarette from his porch onto fireworks, causing them to explode and ignite the fire, according to the complaint. Investigators recovered a lighter, cigarettes, shotgun ammunition and an aerial mortar firework from his cabin.
U.S. Forest Service investigators concluded the fire was “probably caused by fireworks” after ruling out lightning, campfires, debris burning and other possible causes.
Local authorities arrested Saba on Oct. 3 on related state charges. The federal complaint was filed Oct. 9, and prosecutors said he was expected to make his initial appearance in U.S. District Court in downtown Los Angeles.
The complaint also lists prior felony convictions, including mayhem, vandalism, drug possession, criminal threats, manufacturing or possessing a dangerous weapon, and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Saba is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.