Two fires contained; two arrested on Rice Canyon

Two fires were extinguished on Rice Canyon Road Sunday night, Aug. 7, and a deputy arrested two individuals while directing traffic around the fire, according to Lt. Robert Haley.

At approximately 7:26 p.m. Sheriff’s deputies and Cal Fire were called to the 1700 block of Rice Canyon Road, where two small fires had erupted in a grass area.

By the time emergency responders arrived, area residents had already extinguished the fire, leaving embers and a few hot spots for the fire team to tend to. “There were two small [hot] spots right next to the side of the road, one being approximately 10’x100’, and the other being 3’x4’,” said Joe Gallegos, station captain for the Red Mountain Cal Fire station, which was one of the responding stations.

Cal Fire is currently investigating the cause of the fire. Gallegos stated that as far as he knows, no witnesses have come forward stating what happened.

“We went to the scene [Monday, Aug. 8], and could not find a cause for the fire,” said Gallegos. “We cannot determine if this was an arson or if it was just a vehicle with a converter problem.”

Sheriff’s deputies helped direct traffic during the incident. In the process, Deputy Ed Macken recognized Shawnette Hanson, a 33-year-old female, in one of the vehicles as a person wanted on outstanding warrants.

Macken directed Hanson’s vehicle to the side of the road, and was able to arrest her for her warrants and also arrested Randall Meza, her 57-year-old passenger, for possession of narcotics.

Haley asks that residents be vigilant in watching for fire activity, as fire season is approaching, he said.

“We would greatly appreciate it if people would be aware,” said Haley.

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