East Bay wildfire arson suspect arrested

A Tracy, CA, man was arrested last week for starting “multiple fires to forestlands” in several East Bay counties. Russell Boyer, 46, is being held on $225,000 bail, according to CalFire and ECCFPD law enforcement. However, it is not confirmed that the Aug. 3 Marsh Complex fire is among those Boyer is accused of setting.

The Marsh Complex fire was more than 15 separate fires that started in a remote area on Morgan Territory Rd., and continued to break out along Marsh Creek Rd. past Deer Valley Rd.. Several of the fires on Marsh Creek burned together creating one large “complex” fire. The fires were first reported around 3:30 a.m. Sat. Aug. 3.

According to Cal Fire Deputy Chief Mike Marcucci, the fires were definitely “human caused” but neither Marcuci nor ECCFPD Chief Brian Helmick can confirm that Boyer started them.

“As of this email that has not been defined,” Helmick told the Pioneer this morning. “Interrogations continue.”

Cal Fire law enforcement is the lead agency in the investigation and urge residents to report any fire-related suspicious activity to local law enforcement. Anyone with information about arson can contact the Cal Fire arson hotline at 800-468-4408.