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KLAMATH COUNTY, Ore. — Klamath County Sheriff’s Office deputies and fire crews responding to the area of Hummingbird Lane and Bunting Road on Bly Mountain for a reported brush fire on Friday opened an arson investigation after stopping the fire from spreading to nearby homes. The suspect was arrested on Sunday.
Following a series of brush fires that broke out on Sept. 5, fire crews from Klamath County Fire District 5 and the Oregon Department of Forestry arrived at approximately 1:00 PM.
After getting the fires under control, investigators learned that a victim who witnessed and reported a suspect intentionally set multiple fires in the area using gasoline and a flare gun, posing a significant threat to nearby homes and residents, given the dry fuels, steep terrain, and windy conditions.
Six fires in total were identified, four on the suspect’s property and two on the victim’s property. No injuries were reported.
At the scene, police collected evidence, including a gasoline container and burned materials. On Sunday, the suspect, 37-year-old Henry J. Garza of Bly Mountain, was arrested without incident during a follow-up investigation.
Garza was lodged at the Klamath County Jail and faces multiple criminal charges, including three counts of Arson I, two counts of Reckless Endangering, Menacing, and Coercion.
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