CAL FIRE law enforcement officers arrested former firefighter Zane Wallace Peterson, 29, of Happy Valley, California Tuesday morning on suspicion of intentionally setting seven fires in Shasta County, including the September 9th, 2013 Clover Fire. Peterson was booked into the Shasta County Jail and charged with over 200 arson-related counts, including 60 for arson to occupied structures.
- Arson of a Structure or Vegetation (Penal Code 451(c)) 140 Counts
- Arson that causes great bodily injury (Penal Code 451(a)) 1 Count
- Arson to Occupied Structures (Penal Code 451(b)) 60 Counts.
- Arson with Aggravating Factors (Penal Code 451.1(a)(4)) 2 Counts
- Arson using Incendiary Device (Penal Code 453) 5 Counts
He was also charged with homicide for the death of one person on the Clover Fire. On September 10, 2013 the Shasta County Sheriff’s Office located a deceased person, identified as Brian Stanley Henry, 56, inside the Clover Fire perimeter on Coal Pit Road in the community of Igo, California while conducting a welfare check.
Mr. Peterson will be arraigned Wednesday afternoon in Shasta County.
The U.S. Forest Service confirmed that Mr. Peterson was a former employee on the Mendocino National Forest. He worked as a firefighter (Forestry Technician) and fire engine operator from May 15, 2005 until October 22, 2012.
The Clover Fire burned 8,073 acres and threatened over 500 residences. It destroyed 60 occupied residences and 130 outbuildings. Over 1500 firefighters from across the state responded at the height of the incident. The cost to contain and control the fire was over $7.3 million.
