Three Sonoma County Probation officers patrolling the area because of ongoing fires in the region noticed Jesus Fabian Gonzalez, 29, walking out of the creek area and a plume of smoke behind him, Sheriff’s Sgt. Spencer Crum said.
Sheriff’s Deputy John Grohl was called to the scene and extinguished the fire, which was then completely doused by Sonoma Valley Fire Protection District personnel.
Gonzalez was wearing a trench coat and told officers he started the fire because he was cold, Crum said.
Gonzalez lives under a bridge nearby and is well known to law enforcement, he said.
He was arrested fon suspicion of felony arson and transported to the Sonoma County Jail for booking.